How to Pronounce Underlie

To pronounce "underlie", say UND-erl-ie — 3 syllables, IPA /ˌʌn.də(ɹ)ˈlaɪ/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

underlie

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Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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Syllables

Letters

/ˌʌn.də(ɹ)ˈlaɪ/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “underlie”

"underlie" has 3 syllables: und-erl-ie. It rhymes with wry and exemplify, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: underly — easy to mix up when writing.

What does underlie mean?

verb

To lie in a position directly beneath.
To lie under or beneath.
“A stratum of clay underlies the surface gravel.”

Hear “underlie” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with underlie

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

wry exemplify rectify high lie apply fortify awry mollify amplify nullify cry

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "underlie"?▾

"Underlie" has 3 syllables: und · erl · ie.

What is the IPA transcription of "underlie"?▾

The IPA transcription of "underlie" is /ˌʌn.də(ɹ)ˈlaɪ/.

What does "underlie" mean?▾

Underlie: To lie in a position directly beneath.

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