How to pronounce uncommon
Say it like un-KOM-un. Uncommon has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KOM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce uncommon. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- un
- KOM
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Uncommon 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.
- KOMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of uncommon
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: un-KOM-un.
What does uncommon mean?
- not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind“uncommon birds”“frost and floods are uncommon during these months”
- marked by an uncommon quality; especially superlative or extreme of its kind“what is so rare as a day in June”“a rare skill”
Where does uncommon come from?
From un- + common.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying uncommon
How do you pronounce uncommon?
Say un-KOM-un. The American pronunciation is /ənˈkɑmən/. In British English it is /ənˈkɒmən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in uncommon?
Uncommon has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KOM). Broken into parts: un · KOM · un.
Is uncommon pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ənˈkɒmən/ (un-KOM-un).