How to pronounce leaning
Say it like LEE-ning. Leaning 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 leaning. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LEE
- ning
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Leaning 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.
- ningKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of leaning
American and British speakers say leaning in essentially the same way: /ˈlinɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈliːnɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: LEE-ning.
What does leaning mean?
- departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal“the leaning tower of Pisa”“the headstones were tilted”
- an inclination to do something“he felt leanings toward frivolity”
- a natural inclination“he has a proclivity for exaggeration”
- the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the vertical“the tower had a pronounced tilt”“the ship developed a list to starboard”
Where does leaning come from?
From Middle English lening, leninge, from Old English hlinung (“leaning; resting; place of rest”), equivalent to lean + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with leaning
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of leaning.
Questions about saying leaning
How do you pronounce leaning?
Say LEE-ning. The American pronunciation is /ˈlinɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈliːnɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in leaning?
Leaning has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LEE). Broken into parts: LEE · ning.
Do Americans and Brits say leaning the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlinɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈliːnɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.