How to Pronounce Unless

To pronounce "unless", say UNL-ess — 2 syllables, IPA /ənˈlɛs/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

unless

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

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Syllables

Letters

/ənˈlɛs/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “unless”

"unless" has 2 syllables: unl-ess. It rhymes with nonetheless and nevertheless, if that helps it stick.

What does unless mean?

conjunction

Except on a specified condition; if not.
“I’m leaving unless I get a pay rise (AmE: raise).”
If not; used with counterfactual conditionals.

Antonyms

Hear “unless” 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 unless

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

nonetheless nevertheless coalesce distress acquiesce address caress assess process egress express finesse

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "unless"?▾

"Unless" has 2 syllables: unl · ess.

What is the IPA transcription of "unless"?▾

The IPA transcription of "unless" is /ənˈlɛs/.

What does "unless" mean?▾

Unless: Except on a specified condition; if not.

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