How to pronounce challenging
Say it like CHAL-un-jing. Challenging has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (CHAL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce challenging. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- CHAL
- un
- jing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Challenging pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- CHALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- jingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of challenging
American and British speakers say challenging in essentially the same way: /ˈtʃæləndʒɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈtʃælɪndʒɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: CHAL-in-jing.
What does challenging mean?
- requiring full use of your abilities or resources“ambitious schedule”“performed the most challenging task without a mistake”
- stimulating interest or thought“a challenging hypothesis”“a thought-provoking book”
- disturbingly provocative“an intriguing smile”
Where does challenging come from?
From Middle English chalengynge; equivalent to challenge + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying challenging
How do you pronounce challenging?
Say CHAL-un-jing. The American pronunciation is /ˈtʃæləndʒɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈtʃælɪndʒɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in challenging?
Challenging has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (CHAL). Broken into parts: CHAL · un · jing.
Do Americans and Brits say challenging the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtʃæləndʒɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈtʃælɪndʒɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.