Learn How to Pronounce folly

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folly

Definition:

(nou) the trait of acting stupidly or rashly (nou) a stupid mistake (nou) the quality of being rash and foolish (nou) foolish or senseless behavior

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈfɒli

Examples:

It was an act of sheer folly.

It is an essay on the folly of the fear of death.

The folly can be seen in the background.

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folly

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How to perfect your pronunciation of: folly

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Break folly down into individual sounds such as ˈfɒli. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

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Common mistakes of folly pronunciation

  1. Stress misplacement: Some learners may stress the second syllable, saying "fo-ˈlly". This is incorrect. The primary stress is on the first syllable: "ˈfɑːli" (US) / "ˈfɒli" (UK). Tip: Emphasize the "fol" part.
  2. Vowel confusion: A common mistake is pronouncing "folly" with a long "o" sound, like "foh-lee". The correct pronunciation has a short "o" sound: "ˈfɑːli" (US) / "ˈfɒli" (UK). Tip: Practice saying "f" and "olly" quickly together.
  3. Final "y" sound: Some might drop the "y" sound at the end, saying "fohl". This can lead to misunderstanding. The correct form includes the "y": "ˈfɑːli" (US) / "ˈfɒli" (UK). Tip: Ensure you pronounce the "y" as in "happy".
  4. Overemphasis on the "l": Learners may overly stress the "l" sound, making it sound like "foh-lly". The "l" should be pronounced smoothly. The correct pronunciation is "ˈfɑːli" (US) / "ˈfɒli" (UK). Tip: Blend the "l" with the following "y".
  5. Incorrect vowel length: Some might pronounce "folly" with an incorrect vowel length, such as "ˈfɔːli". This is inaccurate. The correct pronunciation has a short "o" sound: "ˈfɑːli" (US) / "ˈfɒli" (UK). Tip: Focus on the short vowel sound in "fol".

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "folly" in American English?

In American English, "folly" is pronounced as /ˈfɑːli/. The first syllable is stressed, and it sounds like "fall" with a long "a" sound, followed by a light "lee."

What is the British pronunciation of "folly"?

In British English, "folly" is pronounced as /ˈfɒli/. The first syllable is still stressed, but the vowel sound in the first syllable is more like the "o" in "lot."

Does "folly" have any silent letters?

No, "folly" does not contain any silent letters. Each letter in the word is pronounced, making it straightforward to say.

How many syllables are in the word "folly"?

The word "folly" has two syllables, pronounced as "fol" and "ly." The first syllable is stressed, making it easy to identify the rhythm of the word.
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