How to pronounce descending
Say it like dih-SEN-ding. Descending has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce descending. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- SEN
- ding
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Descending pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- dingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of descending
American and British speakers say descending in essentially the same way: /dɪˈsɛndɪŋ/ in the US and /dɪˈsɛndɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-SEN-ding.
What does descending mean?
- coming down or downward
Where does descending come from?
From descend + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with descending
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of descending.
Questions about saying descending
How do you pronounce descending?
Say dih-SEN-ding. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈsɛndɪŋ/. In British English it is /dɪˈsɛndɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in descending?
Descending has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEN). Broken into parts: dih · SEN · ding.
Do Americans and Brits say descending the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈsɛndɪŋ/ and the British form is /dɪˈsɛndɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.