How to pronounce handwaving
Say it like HAND-way-ving. Handwaving has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAND).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce handwaving. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAND
- way
- ving
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Handwaving pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HANDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- wayKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- vingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of handwaving
American and British speakers say handwaving in essentially the same way: /ˈhændweɪvɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈhændweɪvɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: HAND-way-ving.
What does handwaving mean?
- Waving the hands.
- Pertaining to empty gesturing, with little substance behind it; vague; not supported by data.
- Alternative form of hand waving (“empty gesturing”).
- present participle and gerund of handwave
Where does handwaving come from?
From hand + waving.
Questions about saying handwaving
How do you pronounce handwaving?
Say HAND-way-ving. The American pronunciation is /ˈhændweɪvɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈhændweɪvɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in handwaving?
Handwaving has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAND). Broken into parts: HAND · way · ving.
Do Americans and Brits say handwaving the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhændweɪvɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈhændweɪvɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.