How to pronounce unnecessary
Say it like un-NES-uh-ser-ee. Unnecessary has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unnecessary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- un
- NES
- uh
- ser
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unnecessary 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.
- NESSay 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.
- serGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of unnecessary
American and British speakers say unnecessary in essentially the same way: /ənˈnɛsəˌsɛri/ in the US and /ʌnˈnɛsəsəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: un-NES-uh-suh-ree.
What does unnecessary mean?
- not necessary
Where does unnecessary come from?
From un- + necessary.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying unnecessary
How do you pronounce unnecessary?
Say un-NES-uh-ser-ee. The American pronunciation is /ənˈnɛsəˌsɛri/. In British English it is /ʌnˈnɛsəsəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unnecessary?
Unnecessary has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NES). Broken into parts: un · NES · uh · ser · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say unnecessary the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ənˈnɛsəˌsɛri/ and the British form is /ʌnˈnɛsəsəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.