How to pronounce breaking
Say it like BRAY-king. Breaking has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BRAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce breaking. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BRAY
- king
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Breaking pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BRAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- kingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of breaking
American and British speakers say breaking in essentially the same way: /ˈbreɪkɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈbreɪkɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: BRAY-king.
What does breaking mean?
- the act of breaking something“the breakage was unavoidable”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with breaking
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of breaking.
Questions about saying breaking
How do you pronounce breaking?
Say BRAY-king. The American pronunciation is /ˈbreɪkɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈbreɪkɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in breaking?
Breaking has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BRAY). Broken into parts: BRAY · king.
Do Americans and Brits say breaking the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbreɪkɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈbreɪkɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.