How to pronounce playing
Say it like PLAY-ing. Playing has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PLAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce playing. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PLAY
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Playing pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PLAYSay 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 playing
American and British speakers say playing in essentially the same way: /ˈpleɪɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈpleɪɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: PLAY-ing.
What does playing mean?
- the act of playing a musical instrument
- the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation
- the performance of a part or role in a drama
Where does playing come from?
From Middle English playing; equivalent to play + -ing.
Words that rhyme with playing
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of playing.
Questions about saying playing
How do you pronounce playing?
Say PLAY-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈpleɪɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈpleɪɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in playing?
Playing has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PLAY). Broken into parts: PLAY · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say playing the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpleɪɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈpleɪɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.