English pronunciation · Words Starting with S

Severely Pronunciation

Severely is pronounced suh-VIR-lee, IPA /səˈvɪrli/.

suh-VIR-lee

US /səˈvɪrli/  ·  UK /sɪˈviəli/

Syllables: suh · VIR · lee (3 syllables, stress on syllable 2)

adverb: To a very great and serious degree.

Audio for the American and British pronunciations plays on this page with JavaScript enabled.

Severely in a Sentence

  • The roof was severely damaged in the storm.
  • She was severely criticised for the delay.
  • Services are severely limited on Sundays.

Common Mispronunciations of Severely

Not SE-veer-lee

The punch goes on VIR, and the opening shrinks to a quick suh with nothing on it.

Not suh-VEER-uh-lee

The e before the l is silent, so VIR runs straight into lee and the count is three beats, not four.

Tip: British speech loses the r and stretches the vowel instead: suh-VEE-uh-lee.

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