prolly

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "prolly" is a clipped form of "probably." It drops the middle sounds, rolling out quick and casual in everyday talk.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

I go back and forth between 'probly' and 'prolly.'

Pronunciation

[PRAHL-ee] or [PROH-lee]

Meaning & Usage

- Probably / Most Likely (adverb)

Mae:

Think it’ll snow tonight?

Earl:

Prolly - them clouds look heavy.

Ruby:

You goin’ fishin’ tomorrow?

Estel:

Prolly, if the river don’t rise.

other spellings: prolly, probly, and prbly

★ "Prolly" and "probly" mean the same thing. Which one you use depends on how fast you talk - and how much you like trimming words down to size. ★

Origin

A reduced form of "probably." In Appalachian and Southern speech, the middle syllables are often dropped. Over time, "probly" and "prolly" both took root as natural, casual variants.

Notes

"Prolly" is common in texting, social media, and speech, especially among younger folks. In Appalachia, you’ll hear it right alongside "probly" - both are natural, informal speech patterns.

Say It Like a Southerner

Blend "probably" into two beats: "prol-ly." The "bab" sound in the middle vanishes, leaving a smooth "prolly." Said fast, it’s nearly one syllable.

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Probly

Common Questions

Is "prolly" a real word?

It’s not standard English, but it’s widely recognized as a casual spoken form of "probably."

What’s the difference between "prolly" and "probly"?

They’re the same in meaning. "Prolly" smooths the word even more than "probly."

Do people write "prolly"?

Yes - especially online, where folks spell words the way they sound.

Is it just Appalachian?

No - it shows up all over English, but it’s especially at home in Appalachian and Southern dialects.