Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

namely

/ˈneɪmli/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.02 in modern English

Syllables
name-ly
IPA
/ˈneɪmli/
11
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

Specifically; that is to say.

adv

Especially, above all.

Archaic

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English namely, nameliche, namelike, equivalent to name + -ly. Cognate with Saterland Frisian nämmelk, West Frisian nammentlik, Dutch namelijk, German Low German nämlich, German nämlich, Danish nemlig, Swedish nämligen, Icelandic nefnilega.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Usage

Inflected Forms

more namely (comparative) namelier (comparative) most namely (superlative) nameliest (superlative)

Synonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce namely?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈneɪmli/.
What does namely mean?
Specifically; that is to say.
Where does namely come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce namely

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