How to pronounce uncleanly
Say it like un-KLEN-lee. Uncleanly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KLEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce uncleanly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- un
- KLEN
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Uncleanly 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 "u" in cup.
- KLENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of uncleanly
American and British speakers say uncleanly in essentially the same way: /ʌnˈklɛnli/ in the US and /ʌnˈklɛnli/ in the UK.
British respelling: un-KLEN-lee.
What does uncleanly mean?
- Dirty, unhygienic, not clean.
- Not pure in a moral or religious sense.
- not in a clean way; in an unclean way
Where does uncleanly come from?
From Middle English unclenlī, onclenlich, from Old English unclǣnlīc, equivalent to un- + cleanly.
Questions about saying uncleanly
How do you pronounce uncleanly?
Say un-KLEN-lee. The American pronunciation is /ʌnˈklɛnli/. In British English it is /ʌnˈklɛnli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in uncleanly?
Uncleanly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KLEN). Broken into parts: un · KLEN · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say uncleanly the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ʌnˈklɛnli/ and the British form is /ʌnˈklɛnli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.