How to pronounce hearing
Say it like HEE-ring. Hearing has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hearing. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HEE
- ring
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hearing pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ringKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of hearing
American and British speakers say hearing in essentially the same way: /ˈhirɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈhɪərɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: HEER-ring.
What does hearing mean?
- (law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
- an opportunity to state your case and be heard“they condemned him without a hearing”“he saw that he had lost his audience”
- the range within which a voice can be heard“the children were told to stay within earshot”
- able to perceive sound
Where does hearing come from?
From Middle English herynge, equivalent to hear + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with hearing
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of hearing.
Questions about saying hearing
How do you pronounce hearing?
Say HEE-ring. The American pronunciation is /ˈhirɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈhɪərɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hearing?
Hearing has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HEE). Broken into parts: HEE · ring.
Do Americans and Brits say hearing the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhirɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈhɪərɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.