How to pronounce heartbreaking
Say it like HART-bray-king. Heartbreaking has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HART).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce heartbreaking. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HART
- bray
- king
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Heartbreaking pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HARTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- brayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- kingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of heartbreaking
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HAHT-bray-king.
What does heartbreaking mean?
- causing or marked by grief or anguish“a grievous loss”“a grievous cry”
Where does heartbreaking come from?
From heart + breaking.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying heartbreaking
How do you pronounce heartbreaking?
Say HART-bray-king. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɑrtˌbreɪkɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈhɑːtˌbreɪkɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in heartbreaking?
Heartbreaking has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HART). Broken into parts: HART · bray · king.
Is heartbreaking pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈhɑːtˌbreɪkɪŋ/ (HAHT-bray-king).