unpronounced

/ˌən-prə-ˈnau̇n(t)st/ (ame, mw)

unpronounced — adjective

  • unpronouncedpositive
  • more unpronouncedcomparative
  • most unpronouncedsuperlative

1. used to describe a written letter or sound in a word that is not spoken when the

1.形容詞C1
釋義

used to describe a written letter or sound in a word that is not spoken when the word is said aloud

例句

In the word 'gnome', the letter 'g' stays unpronounced, which often surprises new learners.

headword refers to a specific letter

Young readers often find it strange that the 'b' in 'debt' is entirely unpronounced.

collocation: entirely unpronounced

同義詞
  • silent

    far more common in everyday teaching, e.g. 'silent e'; 'unpronounced' is more formal and technical

  • unvoiced

    a phonetic term meaning produced without vibrating the vocal cords; not interchangeable with 'unpronounced'

  • mute

    very rare for letters in modern English; usually refers to a person who cannot speak

反義詞
  • pronounced

    the direct opposite: a sound that is articulated when speaking

文法句型

unpronounced + noun (letter, consonant, vowel, syllable)

用法筆記

Almost always describes written letters or syllables in a word, not entire statements. For silence about what someone meant to say, use unspoken or unsaid instead.

常見錯誤

❌The word 'debt' has an unpronounceable 'b'.
✅The word 'debt' has an unpronounced 'b'.
💡'unpronounceable' means impossible to say at all; 'unpronounced' means the letter exists in writing but is not spoken.
❌Her apology left several things unpronounced.
✅Her apology left several things unspoken.
💡'unpronounced' describes individual letters or sounds; 'unspoken' describes words or thoughts that are not expressed.