How to pronounce aspiring
Say it like uh-SPY-ring. Aspiring has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce aspiring. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- SPY
- ring
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Aspiring pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SPYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- ringKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of aspiring
American and British speakers say aspiring in essentially the same way: /əˈspaɪrɪŋ/ in the US and /əˈspaɪrɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-SPY-ring.
What does aspiring mean?
- desiring or striving for recognition or advancement
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with aspiring
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of aspiring.
Questions about saying aspiring
How do you pronounce aspiring?
Say uh-SPY-ring. The American pronunciation is /əˈspaɪrɪŋ/. In British English it is /əˈspaɪrɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in aspiring?
Aspiring has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPY). Broken into parts: uh · SPY · ring.
Do Americans and Brits say aspiring the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈspaɪrɪŋ/ and the British form is /əˈspaɪrɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.