How to Pronounce Chiefly

To pronounce "chiefly", say CHIEFLY — one syllable, IPA /ˈtʃiːf.li/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

chiefly

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Accent

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Speed

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Syllable

Letters

/ˈtʃiːf.li/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “chiefly”

"chiefly" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with briefly, if that helps it stick.

What does chiefly mean?

adjective

Of or relating to a chief

adverb

(focus) Especially or primarily; above all.
(focus) Mainly or principally; almost entirely.

Synonyms

first and foremost particularly by and large for the most part largely

Hear “chiefly” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with chiefly

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

briefly

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "chiefly"?▾

"Chiefly" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "chiefly"?▾

The IPA transcription of "chiefly" is /ˈtʃiːf.li/.

What does "chiefly" mean?▾

Chiefly: Of or relating to a chief

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