uhn-WEYEZ
/əˈnwaɪz/
unwise is pronounced uhn-WEYEZ (/əˈnwaɪz/). Unwise is an adjective describing a course of action or judgment that lacks prudence or sound judgment. It conveys a sense of folly or imprudence in choice, often with potential negative consequences. The term combines negation (un-) with wise, signaling the opposite of wise decision-making.
Unwise is an adjective describing a course of action or judgment that lacks prudence or sound judgment. It conveys a sense of folly or imprudence in choice, often with potential negative consequences. The term combines negation (un-) with wise, signaling the opposite of wise decision-making.
- You might produce a too-short /waɪ/ diphthong, sounding like /wɪ/ or /waɪ/ with reduced glide. Solution: elongate the glide from /w/ into /aɪ/ and keep the mouth moving through the diphthong. - Another error is devoicing /z/ at the end in casual speech; make the final /z/ voiced clearly or lightly voice depending on adjacent sounds. Practice with connected speech to hear the z sound. - A third pitfall is misplacing the primary stress on the first syllable as una- rather than un- WISE. Reminder: secondary syllable holds primary stress; say /ənˈwaɪz/ to avoid stumbling. - Optional: overemphasizing the initial /ən/ can produce a stiff, unnatural sounding word. Keep it light and quick, like a gentle schwa.
"It would be unwise to wager more than you can afford."
"Her unwise decision to ignore warnings led to costly mistakes."
"In the heat of the moment, he gave an unwise answer that later backfired."
Pronounce it as /ənˈwaɪz/. The stress falls on the second syllable: un-WIZE. Make the initial syllable a light schwa, then the diphthong /aɪ/ in the second syllable, and finish with /z/. Mouth position: keep the lips relaxed, tip of the tongue near the top teeth for the initial /n/ nasal, then raise the tongue body for /waɪ/ and lightly release into /z/. You can think ‘uh-n-WYZE.’ Audio references: consult standard dictionaries with speaker audio such as Cambridge or Oxford.
Two common errors: (1) misplacing stress, pronouncing it as un-WISE instead of the correct un-WISE with primary stress on the second syllable; (2) confusing the /waɪ/ diphthong with /aɪ/ in other contexts or shortening it to a simple /ai/ without proper glide. Correction: ensure the /waɪ/ glide is pronounced with a distinct rising element, keeping the /w/ onset clear and the /z/ at the end voiceless or lightly voiced depending on context. Practice by saying ‘uh-n-WYZE’ slowly, then at natural speed.
US: /ənˈwaɪz/ with a rhotic schwa in some regions; UK: /ənˈwaɪz/ with non-rhotic R (no r-sound after vowel) and clear /aɪ/; AU: similar to UK, but vowels slightly broader and faster; generally the /z/ is voiced in connected speech. The main variation is vowel quality, not the core consonants. Maintain the /ˈwaɪ/ diphthong center and end with a crisp /z/.
The difficulty lies in perfectly shaping the /waɪ/ diphthong and ending with a precise /z/ without devoicing in rapid speech. Some speakers add a subtle extra movement in /w/ or flatten the /aɪ/ into a simpler, flatter vowel. Keeping the mouth in a consistent, relaxed position for the /ən/ prefix while transitioning to the stronger second syllable requires careful timing. Focus on the glide from /w/ into /aɪ/ and the voicing of /z/ in connected speech.
A unique concern is the transition from the nasal /n/ to the /w/ onset of the stressed syllable. The tongue should not collapse the /n/ into a nasal-like onset for the /waɪ/ sequence. Keep a distinct alveolar contact for /n/ before lifting into the /w/ glide. In fast speech, ensure the /n/ retains its air emission while beginning the /w/ transition so that you don’t merge it with the following vowel sound.
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- US: Non-rhotic or rhotic depending on region; most speakers show /ənˈwaɪz/ with clear /ɪ/ in /waɪ/. Vowel quality tends to be broader; avoid tensing the jaw before /aɪ/. - UK: Similar structure; maintain even, flat intonation on the first syllable; /ə/ or /ʌ/ can occur in rapid speech; ensure crisp /z/ final. - AU: Vowel sounds slightly more centralized, but still /ənˈwaɪz/; keep the final z voiced with a soft airstream and maintain a relaxed jaw; slower pronunciation is closer to the UK form. IPA references: /ənˈwaɪz/ across varieties, with minor vowel quality shifts.
The word unwise derives from the Old English una- “not” (a negating prefix) combined with wis, a variant of weis or wīs, meaning “wise” or “knowledgeable.” The form appears in Middle English as unwise and maintained its negative sense into Early Modern English. The prefix un- functions as a straightforward negation, underscoring lack or absence of the quality, while -wise historically attached to adjectives to form adverbs or adjectives indicating manner (though here it remains an adjective meaning “not wise”). The semantic evolution centers on attributing a lack of prudent judgment to actions or choices. First known use evidence traces to the late medieval/early modern period, aligning with English expansion and standardization of moral and practical assessments—“unwise” appearing in texts that assess decisions as either prudent or imprudent. Over centuries, the word solidified into common modern usage, carrying a soft, evaluative nuance rather than a harsh condemnation, and frequently co-occurring with cautionary, advisory contexts in both spoken and written English.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "unwise" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "unwise"
-ise sounds
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