How to Pronounce Rely

To pronounce "rely", say RELY — one syllable, IPA /ɹɪˈlaɪ/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

rely

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying rely, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

1

Syllable

4

Letters

/ɹɪˈlaɪ/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “rely”

"rely" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with wry and exemplify, if that helps it stick.

What does rely mean?

verb

  1. (with on or upon, formerly also with in) to trust; to have confidence in; to depend.

Hear “rely” 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 rely

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

wryexemplifyrectifyhighlieapplyfortifyawrymollifyamplifynullifycry

Related words

trustswearbankreliancetrustingreliableentrustbelieve

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "rely"?▾

"Rely" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "rely"?▾

The IPA transcription of "rely" is /ɹɪˈlaɪ/.

What does "rely" mean?▾

Rely: (with on or upon, formerly also with in) to trust; to have confidence in; to depend.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “rely” in the full dictionary →