English pronunciation · Words Starting with L
Literally Pronunciation
Literally is pronounced LI-ter-uh-lee, IPA /ˈlɪtɝəli/.
LI-ter-uh-lee
US /ˈlɪtɝəli/ · UK /ˈlɪtərəli/
Syllables: LI · ter · uh · lee (4 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
adverb: In the exact sense of the words used, without exaggeration or metaphor.
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Literally in a Sentence
- The house is literally on the beach.
- He translated the phrase literally and it made no sense.
- There were literally hundreds of people waiting.
Common Mispronunciations of Literally
Not LIT-rul-ee
Three syllables is the relaxed form and four is the careful one. Both are heard, but dropping to LIT-lee loses too much to follow.
Not li-TE-ruh-lee
Open loud on LI and keep the other three beats light. Nothing in the word pulls the weight inward.
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