How to pronounce undermine
Say it like UHN-der-myne. Undermine has three 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 undermine. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- UHN
- der
- myne
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Undermine 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.
- myneGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of undermine
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: uhn-duh-MYNE.
What does undermine mean?
- destroy property or hinder normal operations“The Resistance sabotaged railroad operations during the war”
- hollow out as if making a cave or opening“The river was caving the banks”
Where does undermine come from?
From under- + mine.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying undermine
How do you pronounce undermine?
Say UHN-der-myne. The American pronunciation is /ˈʌndɚˌmaɪn/. In British English it is /ˌʌndəˈmaɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in undermine?
Undermine has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHN). Broken into parts: UHN · der · myne.
Is undermine pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3. The British form is /ˌʌndəˈmaɪn/ (uhn-duh-MYNE).