4 syllables: Ul, ti, mate, ly. Stress on Ul.
UHL-tuh-muht-lee
/ˈʌltəmətli/
Ultimately is pronounced UHL-tuh-muht-lee (/ˈʌltəmətli/). It has four syllables (Ul-ti-mate-ly), with the stress on "Ul". Ultimately means in the end or finally, after considering all factors. It signals the conclusion or the final result, often after a sequence of events or considerations. The word emphasizes what is most important or decisive when all other elements are weighed. It is frequently used to contrast shorter-term steps with the ultimate outcome.
adverbUltimately means in the end or finally, after considering all factors. It signals the conclusion or the final result, often after a sequence of events or considerations. The word emphasizes what is most important or decisive when all other elements are weighed. It is frequently used to contrast shorter-term steps with the ultimate outcome.
"- Ultimately, the project succeeded because the team stayed focused and adapted to challenges."
"- She pursued several career paths, but ultimately she chose teaching because it felt most meaningful."
"- The decision seemed risky at first, but ultimately it proved to be the right move."
Pronunciation starts with /ˈʌl/ (UL as in 'up' + 'l' blend). The second syllable reduces to /tɪ/ (ti), followed by /mət/ (mət) and ends with /li/ (ly). Primary stress is on the first syllable: UL-ti-mət-ly. In careful speech you may articulate /ˈʌl.tɪ.mə.tli/ with less vowel reduction in rapid speech; a common contraction in conversational speech is to reduce the middle 'ti' to a lighter syllable. Listen to native speakers to hear the exact flow: /ˈʌl.tɪ.mət.li/.
Two frequent errors: 1) Misplacing the stress by saying ul-TIM-e-ly with wrong emphasis, which sounds off; keep primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈʌl/ and reduce subsequent syllables quickly. 2) Over-articulating the middle consonant cluster by forcing an extra diphthong (e.g., saying /ˌʌl.tɪˈmæt.li/ with an exaggerated 'ma' sound). Correction: keep /ˈʌl.tɪ/ light, use a short /ɪ/ in the second syllable and emit /mət/ smoothly into /li/. Practice with slow articulation before speed.
US and UK share the same rhotic vs non-rhotic tendencies; the main variance is vowel quality; US /ˈʌl.tɪ.mət.li/ often has a slightly tighter vowel in /ʌ/ and a quicker /ə/ in /mət/. UK speakers may reduce the second syllable more, with a shorter /t/ and crisper /li/. Australian English typically features a filled vowel in the first syllable and a less pronounced schwa in /li/; the /ʌ/ in US/UK is similar, while the final /li/ may sound a touch five-like.
It challenges you with multi-syllabic rhythm and a stressed initial syllable across four syllables, plus a fast, connected flow in fluent speech. The sequence /ˈʌl.tɪ.mət.li/ requires precise tongue positioning: open /ʌ/ in the first vowel, light /t/ before /ɪ/, and a clear /l/ that links to /m/ without adding extra vowels. Managing weak syllables and avoiding truncation of the last two syllables makes it tricky for non-native speakers.
The unique combination of a strong initial stress, a mid syllable /t/ that sits between a light/closed /ɪ/ and the following /m/, and the final light /li/ demands careful timing and mouth shaping. You need to keep the middle 'tɪ' short and avoid turning it into a full syllable, then glide smoothly into /mət.li/. Focusing on the overall four-syllable rhythm helps you maintain natural prosody.
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- US: Maintain rhoticity; the /r/ isn't in this word but keep the overall vowel quality bright on /ʌ/; use a slightly tighter jaw to avoid a drawn-out /lə/. - UK: Often crisper consonants; keep /t/ clean and avoid glottalization; the /li/ at the end tends to be clearer than in US casual speech. - AU: May show slightly more centralized vowels; keep /ʌ/ open and ensure the final /li/ doesn't get flattened; aim for a bright, forward tongue position for /ɪ/ and /ʌ/. IPA references: /ˈʌl.tɪ.mət.li/; monitor r-colouring by listening to UK/US samples.
Ultimately derives from late Middle English and ultimately comes from the phrase 'ultimata', from Latin ultimus meaning 'furthest, farthest, final'. The root 'ult-' is related to 'ultra' (beyond) and conveys extremity or finality. The suffix '-ly' marks adverbial function, yielding a sense of manner or extent, while preserving the sense of consequence or end-state. The term evolved from phrases such as 'in the end' and 'at last' into a single adverbial marker used in both formal and informal registers. The earliest known uses appear in 15th–16th century English texts, expanding in the 17th–19th centuries as philosophers and legal writers used it to denote teleological conclusions, and later entering common parlance in academic and everyday speech to emphasize ultimate outcomes rather than intermediate steps.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Ultimately" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Ultimately" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Ultimately"
-lly sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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