How to pronounce belong
Say it like bih-LAWNG. Belong has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAWNG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce belong. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- bih
- LAWNG
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Belong pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- bihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- LAWNGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of belong
American and British speakers say belong in essentially the same way: /bɪˈlɔŋ/ in the US and /bɪˈlɒŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: bih-LONG.
What does belong mean?
- be owned by; be in the possession of“This book belongs to me”
- be suitable or acceptable“This student somehow doesn't belong”
- be in the right place or situation“Where do these books belong?”“Let's put health care where it belongs--under the control of the government”
Where does belong come from?
From Middle English belongen, bilongen, from Middle English be- + longen (“to be fitting, be suitable”), from Old English langian (“to pertain to, suit”), equivalent to be- + long (“to belong”).
Words that rhyme with belong
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of belong.
Questions about saying belong
How do you pronounce belong?
Say bih-LAWNG. The American pronunciation is /bɪˈlɔŋ/. In British English it is /bɪˈlɒŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in belong?
Belong has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAWNG). Broken into parts: bih · LAWNG.
Do Americans and Brits say belong the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /bɪˈlɔŋ/ and the British form is /bɪˈlɒŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.