How to pronounce refraining
Say it like rih-FRAY-ning. Refraining has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FRAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce refraining. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- FRAY
- ning
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Refraining pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- FRAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- ningKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of refraining
American and British speakers say refraining in essentially the same way: /rɪˈfreɪnɪŋ/ in the US and /rɪˈfreɪnɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-FRAY-ning.
What does refraining mean?
- present participle and gerund of refrain How to pronounce refrain
- The act of one who refrains from doing something.
Words that rhyme with refraining
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of refraining.
Questions about saying refraining
How do you pronounce refraining?
Say rih-FRAY-ning. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈfreɪnɪŋ/. In British English it is /rɪˈfreɪnɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in refraining?
Refraining has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FRAY). Broken into parts: rih · FRAY · ning.
Do Americans and Brits say refraining the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈfreɪnɪŋ/ and the British form is /rɪˈfreɪnɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.