How to pronounce ceiling
Say it like SEE-ling. Ceiling has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ceiling. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEE
- ling
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ceiling pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- lingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of ceiling
American and British speakers say ceiling in essentially the same way: /ˈsilɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈsiːlɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: SEE-ling.
What does ceiling mean?
- the overhead upper surface of a covered space“he hated painting the ceiling”
- (meteorology) altitude of the lowest layer of clouds
- an upper limit on what is allowed“he put a ceiling on the number of women who worked for him”“there was a roof on salaries”
Where does ceiling come from?
From Middle English celing (“paneling; (bed) cover or hanging”), from celen (“to cover or panel walls”) (from Old French celer (“to conceal”)) + -ing (gerund-forming suffix).
Words that rhyme with ceiling
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ceiling.
Words that sound like ceiling
Questions about saying ceiling
How do you pronounce ceiling?
Say SEE-ling. The American pronunciation is /ˈsilɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈsiːlɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ceiling?
Ceiling has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEE). Broken into parts: SEE · ling.
Do Americans and Brits say ceiling the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsilɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈsiːlɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as ceiling?
Ceiling sounds the same as sealing in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.