How to pronounce gaping
Say it like GAY-ping. Gaping has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gaping. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GAY
- ping
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gaping pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- pingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of gaping
American and British speakers say gaping in essentially the same way: /ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: GAY-ping.
What does gaping mean?
- present participle and gerund of gape How to pronounce gape
- Wide open.“There’s a gaping hole in the fence.”
- Having the jaw wide open, as in astonishment or stupefaction.
- The act of one who gapes.
- Something gaping; something agape.
- A threat or courtship behavior in animals involving holding the mouth open and displaying the teeth or other interior features.
Where does gaping come from?
From Middle English gaping, gapynge, variants of Middle English gapand, gapande, equivalent to gape + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with gaping
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of gaping.
Questions about saying gaping
How do you pronounce gaping?
Say GAY-ping. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gaping?
Gaping has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GAY). Broken into parts: GAY · ping.
Do Americans and Brits say gaping the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.