probly

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "probly" is a shortened form of "probably." It means the same thing - but folks clip the middle syllable in casual talk.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

I say 'probly instead of the fancy way with that extra syllable. Ain't got time to waste on 'at. Might also hear 'pobbly'.

Pronunciation

[PRAHB-lee] or [PRAH-blee]

Meaning & Usage

- Probably / Most Likely (adverb)

Mae:

You comin’ over afterwhile?

Earl:

Probly, if I get them beans strung in time.

Ruby:

Think it’ll rain?

Estel:

Prolly. Sky looks heavy.

other spellings: probly, prolly, and prbly

★ "Probly" sounds casual, even lazy - but it’s normal in speech. Folks save time by clipping syllables, especially in everyday mountain conversation. ★

Origin

A reduced form of "probably," found in dialects across English. In Appalachian and Southern speech, the middle syllable often disappears, leaving "probly." The "prolly" form comes from blending sounds together even more.

Notes

You’ll rarely see "probly" in formal writing, but you’ll hear it daily in spoken English. It’s especially common in relaxed, rural speech where extra syllables tend to get dropped.

Say It Like a Southerner

Drop the middle syllable of "probably." Instead of "PROB-a-bly," just say "PROB-ly." In fast speech, it can even slide to "PROLL-y."

Kin Topics

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Common Questions

Is "probly" a real word?

It’s not standard, but it’s common in speech. Dictionaries list it as a nonstandard variant of "probably."

Is "prolly" the same thing?

Yep - it’s just another clipped version, said even faster.

Do people write "probly" on purpose?

Sometimes, in texts, social media, or dialect writing, to capture a casual or folksy tone.

Do folks outside Appalachia say it?

Yes - but it’s especially tied to rural and Southern speech patterns.