2 syllables: be, low. Stress on low.
bil-OH
/bɪˈloʊ/
below is pronounced bil-OH (/bɪˈloʊ/). It has two syllables (be-low), with the stress on "low". Below denotes a position lower than something or under a reference point; it can function as a preposition, adverb, or adjective in different contexts. It conveys downward relative placement or status, and is commonly used in both literal and figurative senses. The word is short, frequent in discourse, and often part of collocations like “below average” or “read below.”.
Below denotes a position lower than something or under a reference point; it can function as a preposition, adverb, or adjective in different contexts. It conveys downward relative placement or status, and is commonly used in both literal and figurative senses. The word is short, frequent in discourse, and often part of collocations like “below average” or “read below.”
- You may over-articulate the first syllable, pronouncing it as /be/ or /bi/; to correct, keep it light and quick, like a soft schwa, so the emphasis lands on the second syllable. - The second syllable often becomes a simple /o/ without the glide; ensure you produce the /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ glide, producing a clear nucleus and a smooth offglide. - When linking to a following consonant, learners sometimes insert an extra consonant or shorten the vowel too much; aim for a natural, fluid transition: /bəˈloʊ/ + next word.
"The temperature dropped and the thermometer read below freezing."
"Please see the notes on the page below the header."
"Her response was below expectation for a seasoned professional."
Pronounce as /bəˈloʊ/ (US) or /bəˈləʊ/ (UK/AU). Start with a weak, unstressed /bə/ syllable, then a stressed /loʊ/ or /ləʊ/ with a clean rise into the vowel and a clear final diphthong. Your lips should relax at the first syllable and round slightly for the second; the tongue rises to a mid-back position for /oʊ/. Emphasize the second syllable slightly more. Listen to native speech to catch the subtle vowel nucleus and the difference between the American /oʊ/ and the British/Australian /əʊ/.”,
Common mistakes include over-strongly stressing the first syllable (bi-LO) and mispronouncing the second syllable as a pure /o/ or /ɔ/ without the proper /ʊ/ glide. Another error is pronouncing it as /bɪˈloʊ/ with a short i sound. To fix: keep the first syllable light and reduce vowel length; ensure the second syllable carries the nucleus of /oʊ/ or /oʊ̯/ with an audible glide. Practice mouth positioning: lips rounded for /oʊ/, tongue high-mid for the off-glide, and a clean lateral release into the following consonant if linked.
In US English, /bəˈloʊ/ often features a clear /oʊ/ diphthong with a strong second syllable. UK English typically renders it as /bəˈləʊ/ with a more centralized first syllable and a rounded /əʊ/ in the second; rhoticity is less variable here but still present in some speakers. Australian English tends to have a less pronounced second vowel, yielding /bəˈləʊ/ with a broader, more relaxed quality and potential vowel length differences. Overall, stress stays on the second syllable, but vowel height and rhoticity influence the perceived sound.
The difficulty stems from the two-syllable rhythm with a secondary stress pattern and the close, mid-to-high back vowel in the second syllable (/oʊ/ or /əʊ/). Learners often misplace stress, misproduce the diphthong, or replace the second vowel with a short vowel. The contrast between /ə/ in the first syllable and the rounded /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ in the second requires precise mouth shaping and jaw movement, especially when connected to following sounds in connected speech.
A distinctive feature is the subtle transition from a weak prefix-like /bə-/ to a strong, distinct second syllable with a clear diphthong. The first syllable often reduces to a schwa or near-schwa in fast speech, while the second syllable carries the vowel nucleus and glide. This shift creates the characteristic auditory contrast between the understated beginning and the more sonorous ending, which can be challenging for non-native speakers to reproduce consistently.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "below"!
- US: /bəˈloʊ/ with a tense, rounded /oʊ/; avoid reducing to /bəloʊ/ or /bəloʊ/. - UK: /bəˈləʊ/; the second vowel tends to be more centralized and rounded; rhoticity is not always present in all environments. - AU: /bəˈləʊ/; often a less intense second vowel than US; the first syllable can be weaker, especially in rapid speech. Use IPA references: US /ˈloʊ/ nucleus; UK/AU /ˈləʊ/ nucleus. - Practice with minimal pairs to sharpen second-syllable vowel quality and diphthong glide. - Always connect to the following word smoothly to avoid a clipped ending.
Below originates from Old English bi læge, blending bi- meaning 'by' or 'near' with leogan meaning 'to lie' or 'to place.' The semantic core shifted from a spatial preposition to a broader relative-position term. In Middle English, its variants and spellings reflected dialectal pronunciation, with the modern form stabilizing by Early Modern English. The notion of “under” or “beneath” persisted, but usage broadened into fixed phrases—often as an adverb modifying adjectives and verbs (e.g., “below zero,” “below par”). Its frequency rose with the expansion of written text and standardization of grammar, making it one of the most common directional modifiers in English. The word’s simplicity belies its functional versatility: it can introduce subordinate clauses, serve in set phrases, or anchor comparative expressions. First known print attestations appear in religious and legal texts of the 14th–15th centuries, with steady incremental usage through modern period. Today, below remains a staple in both formal and informal registers, frequently appearing in technical, academic, and everyday language to describe spatial or hierarchical relationships.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "below" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "below" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "below" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "below"
-low sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
