unstressed
1
4.9
- adjective
- /ʌnˈstrɛst/
- Specialized
- Therefore, we argue that words with word-final unstressed syllables, such as tiger and grasshopper, are not appropriate items to use for the purpose of identifying the occurrence of weak syllable deletion.
- unstressed syllable
- unstressed syllable in words
Examples
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Instead, we recommend that only unstressed, non-final syllables should be considered valid opportunities for evaluating weak syllable deletion (e.g., elephant, computer).
Academic text (2015) -
In the word 'banana', the second syllable is unstressed compared to the first syllable.
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It would be two weak beats or two unstressed beats between each strong.
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This two syllable foot is like a reverse trophy, so the first syllable is unstressed and the second is stressed, as in to be or not to be.
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However, children with and without a phonological disorder often find it difficult to accurately produce the initial unstressed syllable in words such as giraffe and policeman.
Academic text (2015) -
The second vowel in words like basket and carrot was transcribed as schwa, not /I/, and was therefore analyzed as an unstressed syllable.
Academic text (2015) -
Their results showed that coda consonants were more accurately produced in stressed syllables than in unstressed syllables in both word-medial and word-final positions.
Academic text (2015) -
Along similar lines, the word-final consonant cluster in elephant occurs in an unstressed syllable and so would not be considered a valid opportunity for evaluating cluster reduction.
Academic text (2015) -
For example, because the final consonant in the word "glasses" occurs in an unstressed syllable, it would not be considered a valid opportunity for the error patterns of final consonant deletion or postvocalic devoicing.
Academic text (2015) -
Word-final /l/ and word-final nasals, as in the words apple and wagon, were considered to be consonants in unstressed syllables (rather than syllabic consonants).
Academic text (2015)
Synonyms
1
6.3
Parts of words that you say without strong stress
1
6.2
Said in a quiet or weak way
1
7.7
A vowel or syllable with little stress when spoken
A part of a word people do not pronounce with stress and say more softly than other parts
Not having stress in a syllable of a word
Antonyms
How Stressed
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Unstressed is made of un- 'not' and stress 'emphasis' or 'pressure'. So an unstressed syllable is one you say more quietly, without emphasis, like the soft beat in a rhythm.