How to pronounce unilateral
Say it like yoo-nuh-LAT-uh-rul. Unilateral has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LAT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unilateral. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- yoo
- nuh
- LAT
- uh
- rul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unilateral pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- yooGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LATSay 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.
- rulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of unilateral
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: yoo-nuh-LAT-uh-rul.
What does unilateral mean?
- Done by one side only.
- Affecting only one side of the body.
- Binding or affecting one party only.
Where does unilateral come from?
A modern creation (circa 1802), from New Latin ūnilaterālis (“one-sided”), from Latin ūnus (“one”) + laterālis (“sided, lateral”), equivalent to uni- + lateral.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with unilateral
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of unilateral.
Questions about saying unilateral
How do you pronounce unilateral?
Say yoo-nuh-LAT-uh-rul. The American pronunciation is /ˌjunəˈlætərəl/. In British English it is /ˌjuːnəˈlætərəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unilateral?
Unilateral has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LAT). Broken into parts: yoo · nuh · LAT · uh · rul.
Is unilateral pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˌjuːnəˈlætərəl/ (yoo-nuh-LAT-uh-rul).