How to pronounce unreal
Say it like un-REEL. Unreal has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (REEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unreal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- un
- REEL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unreal 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.
- REELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of unreal
American and British speakers say unreal in essentially the same way: /ənˈril/ in the US and /ənˈriːl/ in the UK.
British respelling: un-REEL.
What does unreal mean?
- lacking in reality or substance or genuineness; not corresponding to acknowledged facts or criteria“ghosts and other unreal entities”“unreal propaganda serving as news”
- not actually such; being or seeming fanciful or imaginary“this conversation is getting more and more unreal”“the fantastically unreal world of government bureaucracy”
- contrived by art rather than nature“artificial flowers”“artificial flavoring”
Where does unreal come from?
From un- + real.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with unreal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of unreal.
Questions about saying unreal
How do you pronounce unreal?
Say un-REEL. The American pronunciation is /ənˈril/. In British English it is /ənˈriːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unreal?
Unreal has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (REEL). Broken into parts: un · REEL.
Do Americans and Brits say unreal the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ənˈril/ and the British form is /ənˈriːl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.