desperately meaning

UK /ˈdɛsprətli/ US /ˈdɛspɚətli/ 4 syllables

desperately (adverb): with great urgency.

desperately has 2 meanings in this dictionary.

desperately as an adverb

  1. with great urgency
    • health care reform is needed urgently
    • the soil desperately needed potash

    Synonyms: urgently

    Related forms: desperate

  2. in intense despair
    • the child clung desperately to her mother

    Related forms: desperate

How to pronounce desperately

desperately is pronounced /ˈdɛsprətli/ in British English and /ˈdɛspɚətli/ in American English. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

Scrabble score: 17 (letter breakdown)

Word lists: words starting with DE · words ending in LY · 11-letter words

More about desperately on Wikipedia.