How to pronounce underwater
Say it like UHN-der-waw-ter. Underwater 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 underwater. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- UHN
- der
- waw
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Underwater 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.
- wawGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of underwater
- 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.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: un-duh-WAW-tuh.
What does underwater mean?
- beneath the surface of the water“submerged rocks”
- growing or remaining under water“viewing subaqueous fauna from a glass-bottomed boat”“submerged leaves”
Where does underwater come from?
From under (preposition) + water.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying underwater
How do you pronounce underwater?
Say UHN-der-waw-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈʌndɚˌwɔtɚ/. In British English it is /ʌndəˈwɔːtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in underwater?
Underwater has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHN). Broken into parts: UHN · der · waw · ter.
Is underwater pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3. The British form is /ʌndəˈwɔːtə/ (un-duh-WAW-tuh).