How to pronounce being
Say it like BEE-ing. Being has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce being. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BEE
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Being pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of being
American and British speakers say being in essentially the same way: /ˈbiɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈbiːɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: BEE-ing.
What does being mean?
- the state or fact of existing“a point of view gradually coming into being”“laws in existence for centuries”
- a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently
Where does being come from?
Originated 1250–1300 from Middle English being; see be + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with being
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of being.
Questions about saying being
How do you pronounce being?
Say BEE-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈbiɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈbiːɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in being?
Being has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BEE). Broken into parts: BEE · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say being the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbiɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈbiːɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.