How to Pronounce “importantly”

American (US)

/ɪmˈpɔɹ.tənt.li/

British (UK)

/ɪmˈpɔː.tənt.li/

adverb — Used to mark a statement as having importance.

Where the stress falls. “importantly” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɪmˈpɔɹ.tənt.li/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ɪmˈpɔɹ.tənt.li/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "importantly" mean?

importantly (adverb): Used to mark a statement as having importance.

How do you pronounce "importantly" in American vs British English?

American English: /ɪmˈpɔɹ.tənt.li/. British English: /ɪmˈpɔː.tənt.li/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "importantly"?

/ɪmˈpɔɹ.tənt.li/ in American English, /ɪmˈpɔː.tənt.li/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "importantly"?

“importantly” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɪmˈpɔɹ.tənt.li/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.