How to pronounce killing
Say it like KIL-ing. Killing has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce killing. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KIL
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Killing pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of killing
American and British speakers say killing in essentially the same way: /ˈkɪlɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈkɪlɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: KIL-ing.
What does killing mean?
- an event that causes someone to die
- the act of terminating a life
- a very large profit
- very funny“a killing joke”“sidesplitting antics”
Where does killing come from?
From Middle English kyllyng; equivalent to kill + -ing.
Words that rhyme with killing
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of killing.
Questions about saying killing
How do you pronounce killing?
Say KIL-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɪlɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈkɪlɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in killing?
Killing has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KIL). Broken into parts: KIL · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say killing the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkɪlɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈkɪlɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.