How to pronounce unwilling
Say it like un-WIL-ing. Unwilling has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (WIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce unwilling. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- un
- WIL
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unwilling 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.
- WILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of unwilling
American and British speakers say unwilling in essentially the same way: /ənˈwɪlɪŋ/ in the US and /ʌnˈwɪlɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: un-WIL-ing.
What does unwilling mean?
- not disposed or inclined toward“an unwilling assistant”“unwilling to face facts”
- in spite of contrary volition“an unwilling smile”
Where does unwilling come from?
From un- + willing.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with unwilling
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of unwilling.
Questions about saying unwilling
How do you pronounce unwilling?
Say un-WIL-ing. The American pronunciation is /ənˈwɪlɪŋ/. In British English it is /ʌnˈwɪlɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unwilling?
Unwilling has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (WIL). Broken into parts: un · WIL · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say unwilling the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ənˈwɪlɪŋ/ and the British form is /ʌnˈwɪlɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.