How to pronounce rubbernecking
Say it like RUUB-er-nek-ing. Rubbernecking has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RUUB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce rubbernecking. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RUUB
- er
- nek
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rubbernecking pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RUUBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- nekGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of rubbernecking
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: RUUB-uh-nek-ing.
What does rubbernecking mean?
- The act of slowing down while driving a vehicle, in order to see the scene of an accident.
- Generally, any act of observation in a manner considered unduly overt or otherwise unseemly.“The children had never been in such a large museum and their rubbernecking was rather amusing.”
- present participle and gerund of rubberneck How to pronounce rubberneck
Where does rubbernecking come from?
From rubber + neck + -ing.
Questions about saying rubbernecking
How do you pronounce rubbernecking?
Say RUUB-er-nek-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈrʊbɚˌnɛkɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈrʊbəˌnɛkɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in rubbernecking?
Rubbernecking has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RUUB). Broken into parts: RUUB · er · nek · ing.
Is rubbernecking pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈrʊbəˌnɛkɪŋ/ (RUUB-uh-nek-ing).