How to pronounce substandard
Say it like suhb-STAN-derd. Substandard has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce substandard. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- suhb
- STAN
- derd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Substandard pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- suhbGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- STANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- derdKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of substandard
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: suhb-STAN-dud.
What does substandard mean?
- Of inferior quality; not meeting the minimum quality requirements.“They built this with substandard parts. No wonder it collapsed.”
- Not conforming to the standard variety; nonstandard.
Where does substandard come from?
From sub- + standard.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with substandard
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of substandard.
Questions about saying substandard
How do you pronounce substandard?
Say suhb-STAN-derd. The American pronunciation is /ˌsʌbˈstændɚd/. In British English it is /ˌsʌbˈstændəd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in substandard?
Substandard has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAN). Broken into parts: suhb · STAN · derd.
Is substandard 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 /ˌsʌbˈstændəd/ (suhb-STAN-dud).