How to pronounce knocking
Say it like NOK-ing. Knocking has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NOK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce knocking. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NOK
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Knocking pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NOKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of knocking
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: NOK-ing.
What does knocking mean?
- the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)“the knocking grew louder”
Words that rhyme with knocking
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of knocking.
Questions about saying knocking
How do you pronounce knocking?
Say NOK-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈnɑkɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈnɒkɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in knocking?
Knocking has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NOK). Broken into parts: NOK · ing.
Is knocking pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈnɒkɪŋ/ (NOK-ing).