TAS-it-lee
/ˈtæsɪtli/
tacitly is pronounced TAS-it-lee (/ˈtæsɪtli/). Tacitly means in a way that is implied or understood without being stated openly. It describes doing something through subtle implication or unspoken agreement, rather than direct, explicit assertion. The term emphasizes unstated understandings rather than formal explicitness.
Tacitly means in a way that is implied or understood without being stated openly. It describes doing something through subtle implication or unspoken agreement, rather than direct, explicit assertion. The term emphasizes unstated understandings rather than formal explicitness.
"- The committee tacitly approved the proposal by nodding and continuing the meeting."
"- She tacitly agreed to the plan by complying with the unwritten expectation."
"- Their tacitly coordinated effort avoided overt confrontation."
You pronounce it /ˈtæsɪtli/ in US and UK English, with primary stress on the first syllable: ta-sit-ly. The middle vowel is a short i sound in sit, and the final -ly is a light, unstressed syllable. Mouth position: start with the tongue high in the front (for /æ/), then close to the alveolar ridge for /sɪ/ before a light /t/ release, and finish with a relaxed /li/.
Common errors include pronouncing it as ta-SIT-lee with excessive emphasis on the second syllable, or making /t/ a hard stop after /æ/ without a brief /sɪ/ vowel in the second syllable. Some learners also slide into /tæsˈɪtli/ with misplaced stress or drop the /ɪ/ in the second syllable, producing /ˈtæsɪtli/ but with a very short or muffled /ɪ/. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable, ensure a clear /ɪ/ in the second syllable, and release /t/ crisply without clustering with the following consonant.
US and UK generally share /ˈtæsɪtli/, with rhoticity not affecting the word. The main difference is vowel length and flapping tendencies in some US dialects, which might slightly blur /t/ in rapid speech, while UK accents may crisp the /t/ more. Australian English typically retains a crisp /t/ as well, but may feature a shorter vowel in the /æ/ and a slightly lighter overall intonation, yet the IPA remains close: /ˈtæsɪtli/ across these varieties.
The difficulty stems from the short, lax vowel /æ/ in the first syllable combined with a quick transition to /s/ and /ɪ/ in the second syllable, and then a light /t/ before a final /li/. Many speakers hesitate over the /t/ release before /l/ and the weak /li/ ending, which can blur into /li/ or /lɪ/ in rapid speech. Concentrate on a clean /t/ release, maintain a short /æ/ and a crisp /ɪ/ in the second syllable, and finish with a clear /li/.
A unique aspect is the 'tacit' root containing a cluster of alveolar sounds /t/ + /s/ that can cause a subtle sibilant emphasis if you over-articulate. The transition from /t/ to /s/ to /ɪ/ is quick, and many learners insert an extra vowel or misplace the /s/ daardoor expanding the syllable. Focus on a tight sequence: /t/ immediately followed by /s/ with a light, quick /ɪ/ and a clean /li/ to avoid a lardy ending.
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Tacitly derives from the adjective tacit, which comes from the Latin tacitus, meaning silent, and from tacere, meaning to be silent. The root tac- conveys secrecy, quiet, or unspoken understanding. The adverbial suffix -ly then converts tacit into tacitly, indicating the manner of an action. The word first appears in English around the 15th century, commonly in legal, philosophical, and literary discourse to denote things understood without being openly stated. Over time, tacit evolved to emphasize passive acknowledgment or consent without active verbal expression. Modern usage retains the core sense of unspoken implication or acknowledgement embedded in social interactions, policy decisions, and interpersonal dynamics. The historical progression shows a shift from strictly silent meaning to broader “implied” or “unexpressed” nuances in everyday language, maintaining a formal tone in some contexts while appearing in casual discourse as well.
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Words that rhyme with "tacitly"
-lly sounds
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