How to pronounce unclean
Say it like un-KLEEN. Unclean has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KLEEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unclean. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- un
- KLEEN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unclean pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KLEENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of unclean
American and British speakers say unclean in essentially the same way: /ənˈklin/ in the US and /ənˈkliːn/ in the UK.
British respelling: un-KLEEN.
What does unclean mean?
- Dirty, soiled or foul.
- Not moral or chaste.
- Ritually or ceremonially impure or unfit.
Where does unclean come from?
From Middle English unclene, from Old English unclǣne, equivalent to un- + clean.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with unclean
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of unclean.
Questions about saying unclean
How do you pronounce unclean?
Say un-KLEEN. The American pronunciation is /ənˈklin/. In British English it is /ənˈkliːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unclean?
Unclean has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KLEEN). Broken into parts: un · KLEEN.
Do Americans and Brits say unclean the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ənˈklin/ and the British form is /ənˈkliːn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.