How to pronounce unpretentious
Say it like uhn-pree-TEN-shus. Unpretentious has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unpretentious. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uhn
- pree
- TEN
- shus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unpretentious 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.
- preeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- TENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of unpretentious
American and British speakers say unpretentious in essentially the same way: /ˌʌnpriˈtɛnʃəs/ in the US and /ˌʌnpriˈtɛnʃəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: uhn-pree-TEN-shus.
What does unpretentious mean?
- Simple, humble, not pretentious, plain.
Where does unpretentious come from?
From un- + pretentious.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with unpretentious
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of unpretentious.
Questions about saying unpretentious
How do you pronounce unpretentious?
Say uhn-pree-TEN-shus. The American pronunciation is /ˌʌnpriˈtɛnʃəs/. In British English it is /ˌʌnpriˈtɛnʃəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unpretentious?
Unpretentious has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TEN). Broken into parts: uhn · pree · TEN · shus.
Do Americans and Brits say unpretentious the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌʌnpriˈtɛnʃəs/ and the British form is /ˌʌnpriˈtɛnʃəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.