How to pronounce nitpicking
Say it like NIT-pik-ing. Nitpicking has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nitpicking. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NIT
- pik
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nitpicking pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- pikGive this part a little weight. 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 nitpicking
American and British speakers say nitpicking in essentially the same way: /ˈnɪtˌpɪkɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈnɪtˌpɪkɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: NIT-pik-ing.
What does nitpicking mean?
- The painstaking process of removing nits (lice eggs) from someone's hair.
- A process of finding or pointing out tiny details or errors, particularly if the pointed-out details seem insignificant or irrelevant to all but the finder.
Where does nitpicking come from?
From nit + picking.
Questions about saying nitpicking
How do you pronounce nitpicking?
Say NIT-pik-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈnɪtˌpɪkɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈnɪtˌpɪkɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nitpicking?
Nitpicking has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NIT). Broken into parts: NIT · pik · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say nitpicking the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈnɪtˌpɪkɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈnɪtˌpɪkɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.