How Do You Spell PATHETICALLY?

Pronunciation: [pɐθˈɛtɪkli] (IPA)

Pathetically is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /pəˈθɛtɪkli/. The word is made up of 4 syllables, with stress on the third syllable "the". The "p" sound in the initial syllable is followed by the short vowel sound "ə" which is pronounced like "uh". The following syllables have the "θ" sound, pronounced like the "th" in "thin". The word ends with the "ikli" sound which is pronounced like "ick-lee". The spelling in English can be difficult to remember, but phonetic transcription can help to understand the pronunciation.

PATHETICALLY Meaning and Definition

  1. Pathetically (adverb):

    1. In a manner that evokes or expresses extreme pity, sympathy, or sorrow towards someone or something. It implies conveying a feeling or quality of extreme sadness or unfortunate circumstances, often stirring compassion or empathy.

    Example: "She wept pathetically upon hearing the tragic news of her friend's untimely demise."

    2. In a disgracefully or deplorably inadequate or ineffective manner. This usage indicates mannerisms, actions, or situations that are extremely deficient, unpardonable, or unsatisfactory, often resulting in derision, disappointment, or disapproval.

    Example: "The team's performance was pathetically lackluster, prompting widespread criticism from the fans and media."

    3. In a way that is excessively feeble or weak, lacking strength, energy, or determination. It suggests actions or displays that are characterized by a lack of vigor, resilience, or resolve, often resulting in a sense of disappointment or contempt.

    Example: "He pathetically attempted to lift the heavy box but could barely manage to move it an inch."

    In conclusion, "pathetically" is an adverb that can describe situations or actions that elicit feelings of pity or sorrow, that are disgracefully inadequate, or that display an extreme lack of strength or resolve. The word serves to emphasize the extreme nature of the described circumstance, often conveying disappointment, sympathy, or contempt.

Top Common Misspellings for PATHETICALLY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for PATHETICALLY

Etymology of PATHETICALLY

The word "pathetically" is derived from the word "pathetic", which has its roots in the Greek word "pathetikos". The Greek word stems from "pathos", meaning "suffering" or "feeling". In English, "pathetic" initially referred to someone or something that evoked pity or compassion, often related to the idea of suffering. Over time, the word's meaning evolved to convey a sense of inadequacy, absurdity, or extreme emotion. The adverb form, "pathetically", denotes something done in a manner that is evocative of or elicits pity, sadness, or disappointment.

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