Grammer question: a Unicorn or an Unicorn?

[Jello]

so we all know (or should know) that the word "an" insead of the word "a" goes before a word that starts with a vowel, such as "action". but this is really weird. Unicorn. the word starts with a vowel, but it sounds so weird when you put the word "an" in front of it and is sounds MUCH better with the word "a". so i want to hear your guys opinions of which is right and which is wrong. is it "an unicorn" or "a unicorn"?

i dont even know, which is why im asking you guys.

[Memorix]

Um... i believe it's "a unicorn"...

[leshinor]

The 'u' in unicorn sounds like 'you'. So, even though 'u' is a vowel, it is used as a consonant.
So, it is 'a unicorn'! You would say for example, 'a unique friend' not 'an'!!!

[xJumpJetx]

i believe it's "a unicorn" since the word starts with a non-vowel sound when you pronounce it (yoo-ni-korn) ...

The rule is NOT that you use "an" before a vowel, "a" before a consonant. It is that you use "an" before a vowel SOUND, "a" before a consonant SOUND.

It goes along with the word 'hour' and 'honest', when adding an article to it you say "an hour" and "an honest person", since the 'h' is silent and you start the pronunciation with the vowel sound.

[Pandora]

The 'u' in unicorn sounds like 'you'. So, even though 'u' is a vowel, it is used as a consonant.
So, it is 'a unicorn'! You would say for example, 'a unique friend' not 'an'!!!
Very well explained. I couldn't have explained it better.

[Jello]

ah, i get it now!....not much of a debate though. oh well, thats ok

[tripletres]

its a unicorn. plz dont spam

[xantok]

it is a unicorn...