How to pronounce lightning
Say it like LYTE-ning. Lightning has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LYTE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lightning. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LYTE
- ning
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lightning pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LYTESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- ningKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of lightning
American and British speakers say lightning in essentially the same way: /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: LYTE-ning.
What does lightning mean?
- abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
- the flash of light that accompanies an electric discharge in the atmosphere (or something resembling such a flash); can scintillate for a second or more
Where does lightning come from?
From light(e)n + -ing.
Questions about saying lightning
How do you pronounce lightning?
Say LYTE-ning. The American pronunciation is /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lightning?
Lightning has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LYTE). Broken into parts: LYTE · ning.
Do Americans and Brits say lightning the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈlaɪtnɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.