How to pronounce barking
Say it like BAR-king. Barking has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce barking. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAR
- king
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Barking pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- kingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of barking
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BAH-king.
What does barking mean?
Where does barking come from?
From Middle English berkyng, berkande, equivalent to bark + -ing.
Words that rhyme with barking
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of barking.
Questions about saying barking
How do you pronounce barking?
Say BAR-king. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɑrkɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈbɑːkɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in barking?
Barking has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAR). Broken into parts: BAR · king.
Is barking pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈbɑːkɪŋ/ (BAH-king).