How to pronounce crying
Say it like KRY-ing. Crying has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KRY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce crying. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KRY
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Crying pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KRYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of crying
American and British speakers say crying in essentially the same way: /ˈkraɪɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈkraɪɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: KRY-ing.
What does crying mean?
- the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)“I hate to hear the crying of a child”“she was in tears”
- demanding attention“clamant needs”“a crying need”
- conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible“a crying shame”“an egregious lie”
Where does crying come from?
From cry + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with crying
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of crying.
Questions about saying crying
How do you pronounce crying?
Say KRY-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈkraɪɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈkraɪɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in crying?
Crying has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KRY). Broken into parts: KRY · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say crying the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkraɪɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈkraɪɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.