How to pronounce harrowing
Say it like HER-oh-ing. Harrowing has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce harrowing. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HER
- oh
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Harrowing pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of harrowing
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: HAR-oh-ing.
What does harrowing mean?
- present participle and gerund of harrow. How to pronounce harrow
- Causing pain or distress; harrying.
- The process of breaking up earth with a harrow.“The field received two harrowings.”
- Suffering, torment.
- Ravaging; hostile incursion; spoliation; intentional widespread destruction.
Where does harrowing come from?
By surface analysis, harrow + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with harrowing
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of harrowing.
Questions about saying harrowing
How do you pronounce harrowing?
Say HER-oh-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɛroʊɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈhærəʊɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in harrowing?
Harrowing has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HER). Broken into parts: HER · oh · ing.
Is harrowing pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈhærəʊɪŋ/ (HAR-oh-ing).