How to pronounce darling
Say it like DAR-ling. Darling has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce darling. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DAR
- ling
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Darling pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- lingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of darling
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: DAH-ling.
What does darling mean?
- a special loved one
- an Australian river; tributary of the Murray River
- dearly loved
Where does darling come from?
The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with darling
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of darling.
Questions about saying darling
How do you pronounce darling?
Say DAR-ling. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɑrlɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈdɑːlɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in darling?
Darling has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DAR). Broken into parts: DAR · ling.
Is darling pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈdɑːlɪŋ/ (DAH-ling).