5 syllables: U, nan, i, mous, ly. Stress on nan.
yoo-NAN-uh-muh-slee
/juˈnænəməsli/
Unanimously is pronounced yoo-NAN-uh-muh-slee (/juˈnænəməsli/). It has five syllables (U-nan-i-mous-ly), with the stress on "nan". Unanimously is an adverb meaning with complete agreement among all members of a group, often used to describe decisions or opinions reached without dissent. It emphasizes total unity of sentiment and support. In speech, it carries formal tone and can introduce quoted or reported statements.
adverbUnanimously is an adverb meaning with complete agreement among all members of a group, often used to describe decisions or opinions reached without dissent. It emphasizes total unity of sentiment and support. In speech, it carries formal tone and can introduce quoted or reported statements.
- You will focus on two major challenges: (1) maintaining steady four-syllable rhythm with the secondary stress pattern, and (2) achieving crisp vowel quality in /æ/ and /ɪ/ without over-reducing. - Common mistakes: (a) diluting the /æ/ in /ˌjuːˈnæ.nɪ.məs.li/ into a weak schwa, (b) misplacing primary stress on the third syllable /nɪ/ instead of second /ˈnæ/, (c) running the final /li/ into a separate vowel, creating a disjointed ending. - Corrections: (a) practice 4-syllable cadence: yoo-NAN-ih-muhs-lee with a crisp /æ/; (b) frame mouth and tongue to land on /æ/ quickly after /n/; (c) finish with a compact /li/ by lifting the tongue to the palate for /l/ and /i/ in a single glide. - Practice tips: record yourself, compare to native samples, pause minimally between syllables to preserve rhythm, and reduce excessive vowel length in final syllables.
"The board voted unanimously to approve the merger."
"She endorsed the plan unanimously after hearing all the arguments."
"The jury returned a verdict unanimously in favor of the defendant."
Pronounce it as /ˌjuːˈnæn.ɪ.məs.li/ (US/UK: /ˌjuːˈnæ.nɪ.məs.li/). Start with a light 'yoo' sound, stress the second syllable with 'nan' as in 'banana' but shorter, then 'i' as a schwa or short i, and end with 'məs.li' where 'məs' is a quick, non-stressed 'muh-s' and 'li' is a clear 'lee'. Mouth positions: lips neutral to slightly spread for /juː/, tongue high for /næ/ and /nɪ/, light Schwa for /məs/, and final /li/ with a high front vowel. Audio reference: consult Pronounce or Cambridge audio clip. Keywords: pronunciation, stress, IPA, syllable-timed.
Common mistakes: (1) Dropping the second syllable stress and saying /juːˈnæ.nə.məs.li/ with weak rhythm. (2) Mispronouncing /æ/ as /ə/ throughout, leading to an overly schwa-heavy pronunciation. (3) Stressing the third syllable instead of the second, producing /ˌjuː.næ.n'i.məs.li/ or wrong rhythm. Correction: keep primary stress on the second syllable: /ˌjuːˈnæ.nɪ.məs.li/ and pronounce /æ/ as a clear short vowel in /næ/. Practice slow, then speed up.
US: /ˌjuːˈnæ.nɪ.məs.li/ with clear /ɪ/ in the third syllable; rhotic /r/ not present here. UK: /ˌjuːˈnæ.nɪ.məs.li/ similar but vowel quality can be a touch more rounded. AU: often a slightly shorter /ɪ/ and faster tempo; non-rhotic but the word remains syllable-timed; final -ly lightly pronounced. Overall, stress pattern remains the same, but vowel quality and speed vary slightly with accent.
Difficulty arises from multi-syllabic length, four stressed segments, and the 'n' cluster in the middle: /juːˈnæ.nɪ.məs.li/. The /næ/ sequence requires precise alternation between /n/ and short /æ/ combined with a quick /məs/ transition. The final /li/ can lead to trailing vowel length or voicing differences. Ensure the primary stress lands on the second syllable and maintain a steady rhythm to avoid over-elaboration on any single part.
Unique feature is the stem 'unanim-' from 'unanimus' meaning 'one mind' and the rapid, light 'mi' and 'ous' clusters at the end. Focus on keeping /næ/ crisp, avoiding vowel reduction in the second syllable, and producing a clean final /li/ without extra syllable length. The listener should hear four clear syllables with even timing.
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- US: emphasize rhotic /r/ not present here; keep a clear /æ/ and minimal vowel shift; use a moderate rate with a crisp /li/. - UK: slight vowel sharpening, maintain the /æ/ quality, less vowel duration variance; final /li/ remains short. - AU: faster tempo; more centralized /ɪ/ as in some Australian speech; maintain /æ/ clarity; avoid trailing vowel length. IPA cues help: US /ˌjuːˈnæ.nɪ.məs.li/, UK /ˌjuːˈnæ.nɪ.məs.li/, AU /ˌjuːˈnæ.nɪ.məs.li/.
Unanimously comes from the Latin unanimitas, formed from una- (one) and animus (mind, spirit, resolve) meaning 'having one mind.' The English form appeared in the 15th–16th centuries, influenced by legal and political discourse where group consent was essential. The prefix un- adds negation or emphasis, while -ly turns the adjective form into an adverb: in a manner of one mind. The root idea of ‘one mind’ persisted through centuries, evolving into a term that signals absolute agreement in formal or ceremonial contexts. First known use citations appear in early modern legal writings and parliamentary records, reflecting the value placed on unanimity in decisions. Over time, the word expanded from strictly legal usage to everyday formal contexts, maintaining its core sense of complete accord.
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Words that rhyme with "Unanimously"
-me) sounds
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