How to pronounce unstable
Say it like un-STAY-bul. Unstable has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unstable. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- un
- STAY
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unstable 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.
- STAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of unstable
American and British speakers say unstable in essentially the same way: /ənˈsteɪbəl/ in the US and /ʌnˈsteɪbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: un-STAY-bul.
What does unstable mean?
- lacking stability or fixity or firmness“unstable political conditions”“the tower proved to be unstable in the high wind”
- highly or violently reactive“sensitive and highly unstable compounds”
- affording no ease or reassurance“a precarious truce”
Where does unstable come from?
From Middle English unstable; equivalent to un- (not) + stable.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with unstable
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of unstable.
Questions about saying unstable
How do you pronounce unstable?
Say un-STAY-bul. The American pronunciation is /ənˈsteɪbəl/. In British English it is /ʌnˈsteɪbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unstable?
Unstable has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAY). Broken into parts: un · STAY · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say unstable the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ənˈsteɪbəl/ and the British form is /ʌnˈsteɪbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.