How to pronounce frightening
Say it like FRY-tuh-ning. Frightening has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FRY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce frightening. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FRY
- tuh
- ning
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Frightening pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FRYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ningKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of frightening
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: FRY-tuh-ning.
What does frightening mean?
- causing fear or dread or terror“the awful war”“an awful risk”
- the act of inspiring with fear
Where does frightening come from?
From frighten + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with frightening
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of frightening.
Questions about saying frightening
How do you pronounce frightening?
Say FRY-tuh-ning. The American pronunciation is /ˈfraɪtənɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈfraɪtənɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in frightening?
Frightening has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FRY). Broken into parts: FRY · tuh · ning.
Is frightening pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈfraɪtənɪŋ/ (FRY-tuh-ning).