motherly

/ˈmʌðərli/

Syllables moth·er·ly

Stress MOTH-er-ly

Phonics Breakdown

moth

/mʌð/

voiced th

er

/ər/

er schwa

ly

/li/

ly adverb

Meaning

kind, caring, and protective like a mother

Sound Reference

💡

moth=/mʌð/(mother) + er=/ər/(teacher) + ly=/li/(friendly)

Example

She gave him a warm, motherly smile.