How to pronounce underlie
Say it like uhn-der-LY. Underlie has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce underlie. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uhn
- der
- LY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Underlie pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- derKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- LYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of underlie
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: uhn-duh-LY.
What does underlie mean?
- To lie in a position directly beneath something.
- To lie under or beneath.“A stratum of clay underlies the surface gravel.”
- To serve as a basis of; form the foundation of.
Where does underlie come from?
From Middle English underlien, underliggen, from Old English underliċġan (“to underlie, to be subject to, give way to”), equivalent to under- + lie.
Words that rhyme with underlie
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of underlie.
Questions about saying underlie
How do you pronounce underlie?
Say uhn-der-LY. The American pronunciation is /ˌʌndɚˈlaɪ/. In British English it is /ˌʌndəˈlaɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in underlie?
Underlie has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LY). Broken into parts: uhn · der · LY.
Is underlie 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 /ˌʌndəˈlaɪ/ (uhn-duh-LY).