How to pronounce unlike
Say it like un-LYKE. Unlike has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LYKE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unlike. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- un
- LYKE
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unlike 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.
- LYKESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of unlike
American and British speakers say unlike in essentially the same way: /ənˈlaɪk/ in the US and /ʌnˈlaɪk/ in the UK.
British respelling: un-LYKE.
What does unlike mean?
- marked by dissimilarity“for twins they are very unlike”
- not equal in amount“they distributed unlike (or unequal) sums to the various charities”
Where does unlike come from?
From Middle English unlic, unlich, from Old English unlīċ, unġelīċ (“unlike, different, dissimilar, diverse”), from Proto-Germanic *ungalīkaz.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with unlike
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of unlike.
Questions about saying unlike
How do you pronounce unlike?
Say un-LYKE. The American pronunciation is /ənˈlaɪk/. In British English it is /ʌnˈlaɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unlike?
Unlike has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LYKE). Broken into parts: un · LYKE.
Do Americans and Brits say unlike the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ənˈlaɪk/ and the British form is /ʌnˈlaɪk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.