uhn-KLEEN
/ənˈklin/
unclean is pronounced uhn-KLEEN (/ənˈklin/). Unclean is an adjective describing something not clean or free of dirt, or morally impure. It denotes lacking cleanliness or purity in objects, environments, or in figurative language, such as opinions or actions that are morally questionable. The term combines the prefix un- with clean, signaling negation of cleanliness or integrity in context.
Unclean is an adjective describing something not clean or free of dirt, or morally impure. It denotes lacking cleanliness or purity in objects, environments, or in figurative language, such as opinions or actions that are morally questionable. The term combines the prefix un- with clean, signaling negation of cleanliness or integrity in context.
"The kitchen counter was unclean after the spill."
"She gave an unclean look, and I apologized for the misunderstanding."
"The report revealed unclean practices within the department."
Pronounce it as /ʌnˈkliːn/ (US/UK alike but with minor vowel duration differences). Start with the relaxed /ʌ/ as in 'cup', then /n/, then primary stress on the second syllable with /kliːn/. The /iː/ is a long front vowel, followed by the final /n/. In connected speech, you may hear a slightly reduced first vowel depending on emphasis, but keep the second syllable clear: un-CLEAN.
Common mistakes include pronouncing the second syllable as /kleən/ with a lax vowel or blending to a dull /lˈiːn/. Another frequent error is not stressing the second syllable, producing un-CLEAN with weak emphasis. To fix: articulate /ˈkliːn/ clearly, avoid turning /kliːn/ into /klin/; keep the /iː/ long and ensure the final /n/ is crisp. Practice with minimal pairs to separate /iː/ from /ɪ/ and to reinforce the stress pattern.
In US, /ʌnˈklin/ with a rhotic influence on the preceding vowel and a slightly rounded /ɪ/ before the /n/. UK typically uses /ənˈkliːn/ with a more centralized first vowel and a crisper /l/ articulation. Australian tends to be similar to UK, often with a slightly broader vowel in the first syllable and a clearer /iː/ in the second. Overall, the second syllable /kliːn/ remains the key mark, but vowel qualities and syllable-timing vary by accent.
The challenge lies in the tightly connected /n/ + /k/ cluster and maintaining a long /iː/ in the second syllable while keeping a crisp final /n/. Speakers often shorten /ʌ/ to a more centralized vowel and blur the /kl/ blend, reducing syllable clarity. Also, the word’s stress shifts to the second syllable, which can feel unusual if you’re not used to two-syllable adjectives with stress on the latter. Focus on isolating /kliːn/ and then integrate it with the first syllable.
The word hides a subtle comprehension of negative morphology in English: a simple prefix un- attached to a common word. Learners often misplace emphasis or assume the first syllable bears stress, leading to a natural but incorrect uNclean. Remember: the meaning is negation, but the pronunciation keeps the emphasis on the second syllable, /ˈklin/. Also, ensure the /n/ shows at the end rather than letting the vowel slide into an /ɪ/ sound when editing quickly.
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Unclean comes from the prefix un- (from Old English un-, meaning ‘not’ or ‘do the opposite of’) attached to clean. Clean itself derives from Old English clænan, related to Dutch schoon and German sauber, all tracing to Proto-Germanic *kleinaną, meaning ‘to be clean’ or ‘to cleanse’. The negative prefix un- has been productive in English since Middle English, forming antonyms with adjectives and participles. The compound unclean appeared in Middle English writings to describe dirtiness or moral impurity and gradually extended to abstract senses (unethical behavior, unclean motives). The phrase gained stability as a common descriptive term in everyday speech and formal writing, retaining the core sense of negation of cleanliness or integrity. In literature, unclean has often carried connotations of contamination, corruption, or moral failing, reinforcing its tactile and metaphorical implications. The evolution reflects broader semantic shifts in English where physical and moral attributes are frequently mapped to the same lexical field, a pattern that remains evident in modern usage with phrases like “unclean hands” and “unclean motives.”
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "unclean" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "unclean"
-een sounds
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