How to pronounce unless
Say it like un-LES. Unless has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LES).
- un
- LES
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unless 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.
- LESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of unless
American and British speakers say unless in essentially the same way: /ənˈlɛs/ in the US and /ʌnˈlɛs/ in the UK.
British respelling: un-LES.
What does unless mean?
- Except on a specified condition; if not.“I’m leaving unless I get a pay rise.”
- If not; used with counterfactual conditionals.
- Except if; used with hypothetical conditionals.
Where does unless come from?
From Middle English unlesse, earlier on lesse (modern on + less), from (not) on lesse (than) (“(not) on a less compelling condition (than)”).
Words that rhyme with unless
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of unless.
Questions about saying unless
How do you pronounce unless?
Say un-LES. The American pronunciation is /ənˈlɛs/. In British English it is /ʌnˈlɛs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unless?
Unless has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LES). Broken into parts: un · LES.
Do Americans and Brits say unless the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ənˈlɛs/ and the British form is /ʌnˈlɛs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.