How to pronounce "underground"

underground

Noun
American
/ˈʌndərˌɡraʊnd/

Syllable Breakdown

un der ground

How natives say underground

British
/ˈʌndəɡraʊnd/

Syllable Breakdown

un der ground

How natives say underground

Pronunciation Guide In American

Pronunciation Steps

  • Start with the 'un' sounded as in 'fun' with stress on it.

  • Move to 'der', pronounced like 'dur' with weaker stress.

  • Finish with 'ground', rhyming with 'sound'.

Common Mistakes

  • un-der-gro-nd (making four syllables instead of three)

  • un-da-ground (incorrect vowel in 'der')

  • on-der-ground (incorrect vowel in 'un')

Pronunciation Guide In British

Pronunciation Steps

  • Start with the 'un' as 'uhn' where the 'u' sound is short.

  • Pronounce 'der' with a softer 'r', similar to 'duh'.

  • Finish with 'ground', keeping the 'ou' like in 'round'.

common mistakes

  • un-du-ground (incorrect schwa sound in 'der')

  • un-da-ground (incorrect vowel in 'der')

  • on-der-ground (incorrect vowel in 'un')

FAQ

Where is the stress in 'underground'?

The stress is on the first syllable 'un'.

Is 'der' pronounced with a strong 'r'?

In American English, yes. In British English, the 'r' is softer.

How many syllables does 'underground' have?

It has three syllables: un-der-ground.

Definition

underground

Below the earth's surface or a subway system.

Word Family

under

/ˈʌndər/

preposition

Below something

Example: The cat is under the table.

ground

/ɡraʊnd/

noun

The solid surface of the earth

Example: We planted flowers in the ground.

undergrounder

/ˌʌndərˈɡraʊndər/

noun

A person living or operating underground

Example: He is known as an undergrounder in the movement.

Key Pronunciation Differences

Key difference vs. under

- 'underground' includes the syllable 'ground' with extra stress.

Key difference vs. ground

- 'underground' starts with 'un-der' before the 'ground'.

Key difference vs. undergrounder

- 'undergrounder' adds '-er', making it longer and shifting stress slightly.

Pro Tips

Mind the Stress

Remember that the first part 'un' holds the primary stress, which changes the word's clarity.

Vowel Clarity

Pay attention to vowel sounds to avoid sounding like similar words.

Nearby Words

Test Your Pronunciation On Words That Have Sound Similarities With Underground

adjoin

/əˈdʒɔɪn/

apartment

/əˈpɑrt.mənt/

applicable

/ˈæplɪkəbl̩/

arise

/əˈraɪz/

avenue

/ˈæv.ə.nuː/

backstage

/bækˈsteɪdʒ/

bench

/bɛntʃ/

beside

/bɪˈsaɪd/