How to pronounce drilling
Say it like DRIL-ing. Drilling has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DRIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce drilling. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DRIL
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Drilling pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DRILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of drilling
American and British speakers say drilling in essentially the same way: /ˈdrɪlɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈdrɪlɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: DRIL-ing.
What does drilling mean?
- the act of drilling
- the act of drilling a hole in the earth in the hope of producing petroleum
Where does drilling come from?
From drill + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with drilling
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of drilling.
Questions about saying drilling
How do you pronounce drilling?
Say DRIL-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈdrɪlɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈdrɪlɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in drilling?
Drilling has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DRIL). Broken into parts: DRIL · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say drilling the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdrɪlɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈdrɪlɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.