English pronunciation · Words Starting with C
Cowardly Pronunciation
Cowardly is pronounced KOW-erd-lee, IPA /ˈkaʊɝdli/.
KOW-erd-lee
US /ˈkaʊɝdli/ · UK /ˈkaʊədli/
Syllables: KOW · erd · lee (3 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
adjective: Lacking courage, especially in a way that harms other people.
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Cowardly in a Sentence
- Walking out without telling anyone was a cowardly thing to do.
- He called the attack cowardly and senseless.
- There is nothing cowardly about asking for help.
Common Mispronunciations of Cowardly
Not KOH-wuhrd-lee
Open with the ow of cow, not the oh of coat. Coward and cow share the same first sound, and the word for a herdsman, cowherd, is nearly identical by ear.
Not kow-ERD-lee
Nothing after the first syllable gets emphasis. KOW carries it and erd-lee trails off.
Tip: Three syllables: KOW-erd-lee. The second one is as weak as the er of butter.
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