How to pronounce leading
Say it like LEE-ding. Leading has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce leading. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LEE
- ding
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Leading pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- dingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of leading
American and British speakers say leading in essentially the same way: /ˈlidɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈliːdɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: LEE-ding.
What does leading mean?
- indicating the most important performer or role“the leading man”“prima ballerina”
- greatest in importance or degree or significance or achievement“our greatest statesmen”“the country's leading poet”
- going or proceeding or going in advance; showing the way“we rode in the leading car”“the leading edge of technology”
- thin strip of metal used to separate lines of type in printing
- the activity of leading“his leadership inspired the team”
Where does leading come from?
From Middle English ledinge, ledynge, ledand, ledande, ledende, from Old English lǣdende, from Proto-West Germanic *laidijandī, from Proto-Germanic *laidijandz, present participle of Proto-Germanic *laidijaną (“to lead”), equivalent to lead + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with leading
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of leading.
Questions about saying leading
How do you pronounce leading?
Say LEE-ding. The American pronunciation is /ˈlidɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈliːdɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in leading?
Leading has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEE). Broken into parts: LEE · ding.
Do Americans and Brits say leading the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlidɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈliːdɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.