How to pronounce penetrating
Say it like PEN-uh-tray-ting. Penetrating has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce penetrating. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PEN
- uh
- tray
- ting
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Penetrating pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- trayGive 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 penetrating
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: PEN-uh-tray-ting.
What does penetrating mean?
- Able to pierce or penetrate“The skunk produces a penetrating odor.”
- Looking deeply into; piercing“He had a very penetrating pair of brown eyes.”
- Demonstrating acute or keen understanding“His novel shows a penetrating insight into the criminal mind.”
- present participle and gerund of penetrate How to pronounce penetrate
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying penetrating
How do you pronounce penetrating?
Say PEN-uh-tray-ting. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛnəˌtreɪtɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈpɛnəˌtreɪtɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in penetrating?
Penetrating has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEN). Broken into parts: PEN · uh · tray · ting.
Is penetrating pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈpɛnəˌtreɪtɪŋ/ (PEN-uh-tray-ting).