How to pronounce licking
Say it like LIK-ing. Licking has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LIK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce licking. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LIK
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Licking pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LIKSay 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 licking
American and British speakers say licking in essentially the same way: /ˈlɪkɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈlɪkɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: LIK-ing.
What does licking mean?
- an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest“it was a narrow defeat”“the army's only defeat”
- the act of inflicting corporal punishment with repeated blows
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with licking
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of licking.
Questions about saying licking
How do you pronounce licking?
Say LIK-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɪkɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈlɪkɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in licking?
Licking has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LIK). Broken into parts: LIK · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say licking the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlɪkɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈlɪkɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.