How to pronounce underwhelm
Say it like uhn-der-WELM. Underwhelm has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (WELM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce underwhelm. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uhn
- der
- WELM
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Underwhelm 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.
- WELMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of underwhelm
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: uhn-duh-WELM.
What does underwhelm mean?
- To fail to impress; to perform disappointingly.
Where does underwhelm come from?
From under- + whelm: a humorous coinage by novel negation of overwhelm first recorded in the 1950s.
Words that rhyme with underwhelm
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of underwhelm.
Questions about saying underwhelm
How do you pronounce underwhelm?
Say uhn-der-WELM. The American pronunciation is /ˌʌndɚˈwɛlm/. In British English it is /ˌʌndəˈwɛlm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in underwhelm?
Underwhelm has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (WELM). Broken into parts: uhn · der · WELM.
Is underwhelm 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 /ˌʌndəˈwɛlm/ (uhn-duh-WELM).