How to pronounce forgiving
Say it like fer-GHIV-ing. Forgiving has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (GHIV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce forgiving. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- fer
- GHIV
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Forgiving 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.
- GHIVSay 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 forgiving
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: fuh-GHIV-ing.
What does forgiving mean?
- Inclined to forgive.“I am inclined to take a forgiving attitude, since this is his first offense.”
- User-friendly, such that harmful mistakes are not easily made.
- present participle and gerund of forgive How to pronounce forgive
- An act of forgiveness.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with forgiving
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of forgiving.
Questions about saying forgiving
How do you pronounce forgiving?
Say fer-GHIV-ing. The American pronunciation is /fɚˈɡɪvɪŋ/. In British English it is /fəˈɡɪvɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in forgiving?
Forgiving has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (GHIV). Broken into parts: fer · GHIV · ing.
Is forgiving 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 /fəˈɡɪvɪŋ/ (fuh-GHIV-ing).