How to pronounce unwind
Say it like un-WYND. Unwind has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (WYND).
- un
- WYND
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Unwind 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.
- WYNDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of unwind
American and British speakers say unwind in essentially the same way: /ənˈwaɪnd/ in the US and /ʌnˈwaɪnd/ in the UK.
British respelling: un-WYND.
What does unwind mean?
- To separate (something that is wound up)“to unwind a ball of yarn”
- To relax; to chill out; to rest and become relieved of stress“After work, I like to unwind by smoking a pipe while reading the paper.”
- To be or become unwound; to be capable of being unwound or untwisted.
- Any mechanism or operation that unwinds something.
Where does unwind come from?
From Middle English unwinden, from Old English unwindan (“to unwind; unwrap”), from Proto-Germanic *andawindaną (“to unwind”); equivalent to un- + wind (“to coil”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- untwist
- untwine
- unroll
- wind off
- disentangle
- relax
- loosen up
- unbend
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with unwind
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of unwind.
Questions about saying unwind
How do you pronounce unwind?
Say un-WYND. The American pronunciation is /ənˈwaɪnd/. In British English it is /ʌnˈwaɪnd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in unwind?
Unwind has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (WYND). Broken into parts: un · WYND.
Do Americans and Brits say unwind the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ənˈwaɪnd/ and the British form is /ʌnˈwaɪnd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.