How to pronounce flying
Say it like FLY-ing. Flying has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FLY).
- FLY
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Flying pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FLYSay 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 flying
American and British speakers say flying in essentially the same way: /ˈflaɪɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈflaɪɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: FLY-ing.
What does flying mean?
- moving swiftly“fast-flying planes”“played the difficult passage with flying fingers”
- hurried and brief“paid a flying visit”“took a flying glance at the book”
- an instance of traveling by air“flying was still an exciting adventure for him”
Where does flying come from?
ffleghand, flighand (also fleoninde, fleonninde, etc.), from Old English flēogende, from Proto-Germanic *fleugandz (“flying”), present participle of Proto-Germanic *fleuganą (“to fly”), equivalent to fly + -ing.
Words that rhyme with flying
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of flying.
Questions about saying flying
How do you pronounce flying?
Say FLY-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈflaɪɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈflaɪɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in flying?
Flying has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FLY). Broken into parts: FLY · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say flying the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈflaɪɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈflaɪɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.