How to pronounce provoking
Say it like pruh-VOH-king. Provoking has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce provoking. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pruh
- VOH
- king
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Provoking pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- VOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- kingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of provoking
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: pruh-VOH-king.
What does provoking mean?
- present participle and gerund of provoke How to pronounce provoke
- annoying; irritating“Would you stop interrupting me, dear? It's a most provoking habit.”
- provocation
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with provoking
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of provoking.
Questions about saying provoking
How do you pronounce provoking?
Say pruh-VOH-king. The American pronunciation is /prəˈvoʊkɪŋ/. In British English it is /prəˈvəʊkɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in provoking?
Provoking has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VOH). Broken into parts: pruh · VOH · king.
Is provoking pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /prəˈvəʊkɪŋ/ (pruh-VOH-king).