How to pronounce listening
Say it like LIS-uh-ning. Listening has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LIS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce listening. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LIS
- uh
- ning
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Listening pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LISSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ningKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of listening
American and British speakers say listening in essentially the same way: /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: LIS-uh-ning.
What does listening mean?
- the act of hearing attentively“you can learn a lot by just listening”“they make good music--you should give them a hearing”
Where does listening come from?
From Middle English listnynge, lustninde, from Old English hlysnende, equivalent to listen + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with listening
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of listening.
Questions about saying listening
How do you pronounce listening?
Say LIS-uh-ning. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in listening?
Listening has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LIS). Broken into parts: LIS · uh · ning.
Do Americans and Brits say listening the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.