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unaccented

unaccented

6.3
Parts of words that you say without strong stress
  • adjective
  • /ˌʌnˈæksɛntɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sin acento
  • The audio recording of the lecture featured an unaccented voice, which helped non-native speakers follow along.

Examples

  • In practice, the manner of distinguishing between an accented and an unaccented syllable is, I believe, superior to the manner of distinguishing in classical verse between a long syllable and a short one.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • In her poetry class, she was praised for her unaccented reading of the lines, allowing the meaning to shine through.

  • I would like an explanation of your almost totally unaccented speech, young lady.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • He had a quiet, flat, unaccented voice and a way of showing deference to nearly everyone.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • He spoke in a clear and unaccented manner, making it easy for everyone to understand him.

Synonyms

light
vsunaccented
  • Specialized
1 8.2

A vowel or syllable said with little stress

is absence of stress or emphasis, not just mild pronunciation
weak
vsunaccented
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A vowel or syllable with little stress when spoken

is complete absence of stress rather than slight or partial reduction
unemphatic
vsunaccented
1 6.2

Said in a quiet or weak way

is about pronunciation stress on sounds rather than expressive delivery
accentless
vsunaccented
  • Specialized
7.3

A part of a word people do not pronounce with stress and say more softly than other parts

is identical in meaning and use as described
unstressed
vsunaccented
  • Specialized
4.9

A part of a word not said with strong emphasis, like the second syllable of banana

is broader, also applying to vowels as well as syllables and words
atonic
vsunaccented
  • Specialized
9.8

Not having stress in a syllable of a word

is broader, covering vowels and words not only syllables
unemphasized
vsunaccented
5.1

Not given special attention or stress in speaking and writing

is focused on pronunciation stress rather than general importance or written emphasis

Antonyms

3.9

Speech that shows the speaker is from another country

How Stressed

prominent
353 3.9
accented
4.1
stressed
3.5
unaccented
  • Specialized
6.3
reduced
1.6

Surface Forms

unaccented positive

Morphology

unaccented = accented (transparent) = un + accent + ed

The adjective is formed by straightforward negation of 'accented' with productive prefix 'un-', yielding 'not pronounced with stress'.

Etymology

Unaccented is made from un- meaning 'not' and accent, a word that once meant 'song' or 'tone' and is like the English word chant. So an unaccented syllable or vowel has 'no' stress and is spoken quietly.