4 syllables: tol, er, a, bly. Stress on tol.
/ˈtɑːlərəbli/
tolerably is pronounced /ˈtɑːlərəbli/. It has four syllables (tol-er-a-bly), with the stress on "tol". Tolerably means in a manner that is acceptable or adequate, though not outstanding. It is often used to describe something that meets a threshold of acceptability, or in relative terms, sufficient to proceed, endure, or be endured without serious problem. The word carries a modest, evaluative tone and is commonly found in formal and semi-formal contexts.
Say it backTolerably means in a manner that is acceptable or adequate, though not outstanding. It is often used to describe something that meets a threshold of acceptability, or in relative terms, sufficient to proceed, endure, or be endured without serious problem. The word carries a modest, evaluative tone and is commonly found in formal and semi-formal contexts.
"Her performance was tolerably good, considering the challenging material."
"The weather was tolerably mild for late autumn."
"Although not perfect, the manuscript is tolerably clear and well structured."
Pronunciation: /ˈtɒl.ə.rə.bli/ (US/UK) with stress on the first syllable. Break it into to-lər-a-bly. The middle syllable is a schwa (ə), and the final -bly is a light, almost unvoiced -bli. Ensure the /l/ is clearly released after the initial stressed vowel, and keep a short, unstressed 'ə' before the final /bli/. See audio references in standard dictionaries for confirmation.
Common mistakes: 1) Stressing the second syllable (to-LER-a-bly) instead of the first; 2) Pronouncing /tɒl/ as /tol/ with a hard American 'l' before the schwa, instead of a clear /ɒ/ followed by a light /lə/; 3) Overemphasizing the final -ly by inserting extra vowel length. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable, use a short /ɒ/ vowel, and reduce the second syllable to a quick schwa before /bli/; practice with controlled tempo.
US/UK/AU differences: In rhotic US, you’ll hear a pronounced /ɹ/ before the vowel cluster (to-lər-ə-bli), whereas non-rhotic UK speakers may have a subtler /r/; Australian tends toward a non-rhotic pattern like UK but with a broader vowel in /ɒ/ and slightly rounded /ə/; the final /bli/ tends to be light and quick across all, with minor length differences. Overall, stress remains on the first syllable in all three varieties.
Key challenges: 1) Managing the three-syllable rhythm with a light, unstressed middle vowel (schwa) can disrupt timing; 2) Coordinating the initial stressed vowel /ɒ/ with a clear, but short /lə/ before the /bli/ cluster; 3) Subtle differences in vowel quality among accents affect how the first syllable blends into the second. Practice with slow tempo and IPA-guided mouth positions to achieve a smooth, accurate sequence: /ˈtɒl.ə.rə.bli/.
Unique question: Is there a silent letter? No. The word is fully pronounced with three syllables: /ˈtɒl.ə.rə.bli/. The challenge lies in balancing the three consecutive syllables quickly in natural speech and ensuring the final -bly is not reduced to /bli/ or omitted, maintaining a crisp -r- sound before the final syllable even in fast speech.
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Tolerably derives from the verb tolerate, itself from Old French tolerer, from Latin tolerare, meaning to bear, endure, or suffer. The Latin root toler- conveys bearing or enduring; the suffix -able, from Latin -abilis, indicates capability or worth. In English, tolerable emerged in the 16th century to describe something that can be tolerated or endured with a degree of acceptability. The -ly adverbial suffix was later added to form tolerably, indicating the manner in which something is tolerable. Over time, tolerably sharpened its nuance to emphasize a moderate degree of acceptability rather than excellence, often used in evaluative or cautious judgments. The word’s usage expanded with formal diction and later with everyday speech, retaining its sense of “adequate, not exceptional.” First known uses appear in Early Modern English literature, with evolving sense tied to moderation in judgement and endurance.
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Words that rhyme with "tolerably"
-rly sounds
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