How to pronounce unintelligible
Say it like uhn-in-TEL-uh-juh-bul. Unintelligible has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unintelligible. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uhn
- in
- TEL
- uh
- juh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unintelligible 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.
- inKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- TELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- juhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of unintelligible
American and British speakers say unintelligible in essentially the same way: /ˌʌnɪnˈtɛlədʒəbəl/ in the US and /ˌʌnɪnˈtɛlɪdʒɪbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: uhn-in-TEL-ih-jih-bul.
What does unintelligible mean?
- Not intelligible; unable to be understood.
Where does unintelligible come from?
From un- + intelligible.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with unintelligible
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of unintelligible.
Questions about saying unintelligible
How do you pronounce unintelligible?
Say uhn-in-TEL-uh-juh-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˌʌnɪnˈtɛlədʒəbəl/. In British English it is /ˌʌnɪnˈtɛlɪdʒɪbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unintelligible?
Unintelligible has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TEL). Broken into parts: uhn · in · TEL · uh · juh · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say unintelligible the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌʌnɪnˈtɛlədʒəbəl/ and the British form is /ˌʌnɪnˈtɛlɪdʒɪbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.