The spelling of the word "underprincipal" may seem confusing, but with the help of IPA phonetic transcription, it becomes clearer. The correct pronunciation of the word is ʌndərˈprɪnsəpl, with the stress falling on the second syllable. The prefix "under" indicates a lower position or rank, and the base word "principal" refers to a leader or head of an organization. Therefore, an "underprincipal" would be a person who holds a lower-ranking leadership position, such as an assistant principal.