How to pronounce backfiring
Say it like BAK-fy-uh-ring. Backfiring has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce backfiring. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAK
- fy
- uh
- ring
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Backfiring pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- fyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ringKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of backfiring
American and British speakers say backfiring in essentially the same way: /ˈbækˌfaɪərɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈbækˌfaɪərɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAK-fy-uh-ring.
What does backfiring mean?
- The occurrence of a backfire.
- A failure that leads to further misfortune.
- present participle and gerund of backfire How to pronounce backfire
Questions about saying backfiring
How do you pronounce backfiring?
Say BAK-fy-uh-ring. The American pronunciation is /ˈbækˌfaɪərɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈbækˌfaɪərɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in backfiring?
Backfiring has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAK). Broken into parts: BAK · fy · uh · ring.
Do Americans and Brits say backfiring the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbækˌfaɪərɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈbækˌfaɪərɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.