How to pronounce abstaining
Say it like ub-STAY-ning. Abstaining has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce abstaining. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ub
- STAY
- ning
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Abstaining pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ubKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- STAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- ningKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of abstaining
American and British speakers say abstaining in essentially the same way: /əbˈsteɪnɪŋ/ in the US and /əbˈsteɪnɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: ub-STAY-ning.
What does abstaining mean?
- present participle and gerund of abstain How to pronounce abstain
Words that rhyme with abstaining
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of abstaining.
Questions about saying abstaining
How do you pronounce abstaining?
Say ub-STAY-ning. The American pronunciation is /əbˈsteɪnɪŋ/. In British English it is /əbˈsteɪnɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in abstaining?
Abstaining has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STAY). Broken into parts: ub · STAY · ning.
Do Americans and Brits say abstaining the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əbˈsteɪnɪŋ/ and the British form is /əbˈsteɪnɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.