How to pronounce unhappily
Say it like un-HAP-uh-lee. Unhappily has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HAP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unhappily. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- un
- HAP
- uh
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unhappily pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- HAPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of unhappily
American and British speakers say unhappily in essentially the same way: /ənˈhæpəli/ in the US and /ənˈhæpəli/ in the UK.
British respelling: un-HAP-uh-lee.
What does unhappily mean?
- Unfortunately; regrettably.
- Through evil fate or chance; wretchedly.
- Without happiness; sadly.
Where does unhappily come from?
From Middle English onhappily, unhappili, unhappily, unhappyly; equivalent to un- + happily or unhappy + -ly.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying unhappily
How do you pronounce unhappily?
Say un-HAP-uh-lee. The American pronunciation is /ənˈhæpəli/. In British English it is /ənˈhæpəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unhappily?
Unhappily has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HAP). Broken into parts: un · HAP · uh · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say unhappily the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ənˈhæpəli/ and the British form is /ənˈhæpəli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.