How to pronounce misunderstanding
Say it like mis-un-der-STAN-ding. Misunderstanding has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (STAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce misunderstanding. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- mis
- un
- der
- STAN
- ding
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Misunderstanding pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- misGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- derKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- STANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- dingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of misunderstanding
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: mis-un-duh-STAN-ding.
What does misunderstanding mean?
- putting the wrong interpretation on“his misinterpretation of the question caused his error”“there was no mistaking her meaning”
- an understanding of something that is not correct“he wasn't going to admit his mistake”“make no mistake about his intentions”
Where does misunderstanding come from?
From Middle English mys undirstonding, equivalent to misunderstand + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with misunderstanding
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of misunderstanding.
Questions about saying misunderstanding
How do you pronounce misunderstanding?
Say mis-un-der-STAN-ding. The American pronunciation is /ˌmɪsəndɚˈstændɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˌmɪsʌndəˈstændɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in misunderstanding?
Misunderstanding has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (STAN). Broken into parts: mis · un · der · STAN · ding.
Is misunderstanding pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌmɪsʌndəˈstændɪŋ/ (mis-un-duh-STAN-ding).