How to pronounce underbelly
Say it like UHN-der-bel-ee. Underbelly has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce underbelly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- UHN
- der
- bel
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Underbelly pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- UHNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- derKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- belGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of underbelly
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: UHN-duh-bel-ee.
What does underbelly mean?
- The underside of an animal.“We identified the species of the snake by its blue-gray underbelly.”
- The underside of any thing.
- The side which is not normally seen, normally a dark, immoral place.“The area by the canal is the underbelly of town – not something you’d see in the guidebooks.”
Where does underbelly come from?
From under- + belly.
Questions about saying underbelly
How do you pronounce underbelly?
Say UHN-der-bel-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈʌndɚˌbɛli/. In British English it is /ˈʌndəˌbɛli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in underbelly?
Underbelly has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHN). Broken into parts: UHN · der · bel · ee.
Is underbelly 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 /ˈʌndəˌbɛli/ (UHN-duh-bel-ee).