How to pronounce forbidding
Say it like fer-BID-ing. Forbidding has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BID).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce forbidding. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- fer
- BID
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Forbidding pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ferKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- BIDSay 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 forbidding
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: fuh-BID-ing.
What does forbidding mean?
- The act by which something is forbidden; a prohibition.
- Appearing to be threatening, unfriendly or potentially unpleasant.
- present participle and gerund of forbid How to pronounce forbid
Where does forbidding come from?
By surface analysis, forbid + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying forbidding
How do you pronounce forbidding?
Say fer-BID-ing. The American pronunciation is /fɚˈbɪdɪŋ/. In British English it is /fəˈbɪdɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in forbidding?
Forbidding has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BID). Broken into parts: fer · BID · ing.
Is forbidding 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 /fəˈbɪdɪŋ/ (fuh-BID-ing).