How to pronounce operating
Say it like AH-puh-ray-ting. Operating has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AH).
VoiceSpeed
US American/ˈɑpəˌreɪtɪŋ/AH-puh-ray-ting
UK British/ˈɒpəˌreɪtɪŋ/OP-uh-ray-ting
- AH
- puh
- ray
- ting
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Operating pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- tingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of operating
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: OP-uh-ray-ting.
Other ways to say operating
Operating also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- AW-puh-ray-ting /ˈɔpəˌreɪtɪŋ/
What does operating mean?
adjective
- involved in a kind of operation“the operating conditions of the oxidation pond”
- being in effect or operation“de facto apartheid is still operational even in the `new' African nations”“bus service is in operation during the emergency”
Questions about saying operating
How do you pronounce operating?
Say AH-puh-ray-ting. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑpəˌreɪtɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈɒpəˌreɪtɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in operating?
Operating has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AH). Broken into parts: AH · puh · ray · ting.
Is operating pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈɒpəˌreɪtɪŋ/ (OP-uh-ray-ting).