How to pronounce unsteady
Say it like un-STED-ee. Unsteady has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STED).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unsteady. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- un
- STED
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unsteady 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.
- STEDSay this part loudest and longest. 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 unsteady
American and British speakers say unsteady in essentially the same way: /ənˈstɛdi/ in the US and /ənˈstɛdi/ in the UK.
British respelling: un-STED-ee.
What does unsteady mean?
- Not held firmly in position; physically unstable.“A slightly unsteady item of furniture.”
- Lacking regularity or uniformity.
- Inconstant in purpose, or volatile in behavior.
- To render unsteady, removing balance.
Where does unsteady come from?
From un- + steady. Like steady, the word first appeared in English around 1530.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with unsteady
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of unsteady.
Questions about saying unsteady
How do you pronounce unsteady?
Say un-STED-ee. The American pronunciation is /ənˈstɛdi/. In British English it is /ənˈstɛdi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unsteady?
Unsteady has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STED). Broken into parts: un · STED · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say unsteady the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ənˈstɛdi/ and the British form is /ənˈstɛdi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.