3 syllables: Sud, den, ly. Stress on Sud.
SUHD-uhn-lee
/ˈsʌdənli/
Suddenly is pronounced SUHD-uhn-lee (/ˈsʌdənli/). It has three syllables (Sud-den-ly), with the stress on "Sud". Suddenly is an adverb describing something happening quickly and unexpectedly, often without warning. It signals a rapid shift in events or actions, usually implying surprise or abruptness. In usage, it heightens immediacy and can modify verbs or whole clauses.
adverbSuddenly is an adverb describing something happening quickly and unexpectedly, often without warning. It signals a rapid shift in events or actions, usually implying surprise or abruptness. In usage, it heightens immediacy and can modify verbs or whole clauses.
"The door slammed shut, and suddenly the room grew quiet."
"He stopped talking, and suddenly everyone fell silent."
"Suddenly, the car swerved to avoid the obstacle."
Pronounce as /ˈsʌ.dən.li/. The primary stress is on the first syllable: SUD-den-ly. The first vowel is a short relaxed /ʌ/ as in 'sun,' followed by a schwa /ə/ in the second syllable, then a clear /l/ and a light /i/ at the end. Ensure the /dn/ cluster is smooth: /d/ released, then the /n/ immediately after, not a separate alveolar touch. Audio cues: think 'SUN-dun-lee.'
Two frequent errors: 1) Reducing the second syllable too much (sud’ nly), producing a weak /ə/ or conflating /dn/ with a simple /n/. 2) Dropping the final /l/ or blending /li/ into a dull ‘lee-less’ ending. Correction: clearly articulate /d/ and /n/ as a quick, single alveolar release, keep /ə/ in the second syllable, then finish with a distinct /l/ and a light /i/. Practice: /ˈsʌ.dən.li/ with held-out final /i/ if needed.
US: strong first-stress: /ˈsʌ.dən.li/ with a clear /ʌ/ and crisp /d/; final /li/ is light. UK: similar, but /ɪ/ often realized near schwa in rapid speech, and /ˈsʌ.dən.li/ can have more vowel centralization. AU: may diphthongize /ə/ less, and the /l/ can be more velarized in some speakers; rhythm is slightly more clipped in fast speech. Overall, stress location stays on the first syllable, with subtle vowel quality changes across regions.
The challenge lies in the /ˈsʌ.dən.li/ tri-syllabic rhythm and the /d/ + /n/ cluster in the middle, which can slip into a nasal or link to the following consonant. The final /li/ should be crisp, not swallowed, and the second syllable uses a reduced vowel, which can be easy to mispronounce as a full /ə/ or /ɪ/. Practicing with minimal pairs helps lock the exact transitions.
In fast speech, you might hear a reduced second syllable, sounding like /ˈsʌdn.li/ or /ˈsʌd.nli/ where the /ə/ is minimized and the /l/ and /i/ blend into a lighter, quicker ending. Some speakers drop the /d/ briefly before a following consonant in very casual speech, but careful enunciation keeps /d/ and /n/ distinct to preserve the word’s integrity, especially in careful reading or pronunciation drills.
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Suddenly comes from the Middle English suddenly, formed from the adverb suddenly ultimately from the adjective sudden, which originates from the Latin subitus, meaning ‘appearing suddenly, occurring at once.’ The Middle English form often appeared as suddelne or soudnewel, reflecting evolving spellings as English adopted more standardized orthography. By the 16th century, suddenly was used consistently as an adverb meaning ‘in a sudden manner.’ The word’s semantic core—rapid onset, abrupt change—has remained stable, with the emphasis on immediacy intensifying in modern usage to convey surprise, shock, or swift action. Over time, the word has maintained its utility in narrative and spoken English, frequently paired with verbs of movement or perception to convey a swift departure from the expected course of events.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Suddenly" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Suddenly" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Suddenly"
-nny sounds
-ney sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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