How to pronounce paying
Say it like PAY-ing. Paying has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce paying. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAY
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Paying pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of paying
American and British speakers say paying in essentially the same way: /ˈpeɪɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈpeɪɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: PAY-ing.
What does paying mean?
- yielding a fair profit
- for which money is paid“a paying job”“remunerative work”
Where does paying come from?
From pay + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with paying
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of paying.
Questions about saying paying
How do you pronounce paying?
Say PAY-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈpeɪɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈpeɪɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in paying?
Paying has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAY). Broken into parts: PAY · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say paying the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpeɪɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈpeɪɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.