How to pronounce understates
Say it like UHN-der-stayts. Understates 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 understates. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- UHN
- der
- stayts
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Understates 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.
- staytsGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of understates
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: UHN-duh-stayts.
What does understates mean?
- third-person singular simple present indicative of understate How to pronounce understate
Questions about saying understates
How do you pronounce understates?
Say UHN-der-stayts. The American pronunciation is /ˈʌndɚˌsteɪts/. In British English it is /ˈʌndəˌsteɪts/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in understates?
Understates has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHN). Broken into parts: UHN · der · stayts.
Is understates 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 /ˈʌndəˌsteɪts/ (UHN-duh-stayts).