How to pronounce unemployed
Say it like uhn-em-PLOYD. Unemployed has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (PLOYD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unemployed. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uhn
- em
- PLOYD
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unemployed 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.
- emKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- PLOYDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oy" in boy.
American vs British pronunciation of unemployed
American and British speakers say unemployed in essentially the same way: /ˌʌnɛmˈplɔɪd/ in the US and /ˌʌnɛmˈplɔɪd/ in the UK.
British respelling: uhn-em-PLOYD.
What does unemployed mean?
- not engaged in a gainful occupation“unemployed workers marched on the capital”
- people who are involuntarily out of work (considered as a group)“the long-term unemployed need assistance”
Where does unemployed come from?
From un- + employed.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with unemployed
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of unemployed.
Questions about saying unemployed
How do you pronounce unemployed?
Say uhn-em-PLOYD. The American pronunciation is /ˌʌnɛmˈplɔɪd/. In British English it is /ˌʌnɛmˈplɔɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unemployed?
Unemployed has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (PLOYD). Broken into parts: uhn · em · PLOYD.
Do Americans and Brits say unemployed the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌʌnɛmˈplɔɪd/ and the British form is /ˌʌnɛmˈplɔɪd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.