How to pronounce painstaking
Say it like PAYNS-tay-king. Painstaking has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAYNS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce painstaking. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAYNS
- tay
- king
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Painstaking pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PAYNSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- tayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- kingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of painstaking
American and British speakers say painstaking in essentially the same way: /ˈpeɪnsˌteɪkɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈpeɪnzˌteɪkɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: PAYNZ-tay-king.
What does painstaking mean?
- Carefully attentive to details; studious; diligent in performing a process or procedure.
- The application of careful and attentive effort.
Where does painstaking come from?
From pains + taking; see take pains.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying painstaking
How do you pronounce painstaking?
Say PAYNS-tay-king. The American pronunciation is /ˈpeɪnsˌteɪkɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈpeɪnzˌteɪkɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in painstaking?
Painstaking has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAYNS). Broken into parts: PAYNS · tay · king.
Do Americans and Brits say painstaking the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpeɪnsˌteɪkɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈpeɪnzˌteɪkɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.