To pronounce "sternly", say STERNLY — one syllable, IPA /ˈstɜːnli/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.
sternly
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Accent
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Speed
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1
Syllable
7
Letters
/ˈstɜːnli/
IPA
"sternly" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with turnley and burnley, if that helps it stick.
adverb
Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.
Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.
"Sternly" has one syllable.
The IPA transcription of "sternly" is /ˈstɜːnli/.
Sternly: In a stern manner.
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