Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

homily

/ˈhɑməli/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.63 in modern English

Syllables
hom-i-ly
IPA
/ˈhɑməli/
14
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A platitude.

adv

In a homey manner.

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English omelī, omelīe, omelye, from Old French omelie and directly from Late Latin homīlia (“homily”), from Ancient Greek ὁμῑλίᾱ (homīlíā, “homily; instruction”), from ὅμῑλος (hómīlos, “crowd, throng”) + -ῐ́ᾱ (-ĭ́ā, suffix forming abstract feminine nouns). ὅμῑλος is derived from ὁμός (homós, “common; same”) + ῑ̓́λη (ī́lē, “crowd”) (from εἴλω (eílō, “to aggregate”)).

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: omelī, omelie, homīlia, ὁμῑλίᾱ

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈhɑməli/
  • British English: /ˈhɒmɪli/

Inflected Forms

homilies (plural) hom. (alternative) more homily (comparative) most homily (superlative)

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce homily?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈhɑməli/.
What does homily mean?
A sermon, especially concerning a practical matter.
Where does homily come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce homily

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “homily”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈhɑməli/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “homily”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “homily” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.