How to pronounce unholy
Say it like un-HOH-lee. Unholy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unholy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- un
- HOH
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unholy 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.
- HOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of unholy
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: un-HOH-lee.
What does unholy mean?
- Not holy; (by extension) evil, impure, or otherwise perverted.“The priest's unholy behavior brought the church into disrepute.”
- Dreadful, terrible, excessive, or otherwise atrocious.“What an unholy mess your room is in!”
Where does unholy come from?
From Middle English unholi, unhaliȝ, from Old English unhāliġ, from Proto-Germanic *unhailagaz, equivalent to un- + holy.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with unholy
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of unholy.
Questions about saying unholy
How do you pronounce unholy?
Say un-HOH-lee. The American pronunciation is /ənˈhoʊli/. In British English it is /ənˈhəʊli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unholy?
Unholy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HOH). Broken into parts: un · HOH · lee.
Is unholy pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ənˈhəʊli/ (un-HOH-lee).