How to pronounce running
Say it like RUHN-ing. Running has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RUHN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce running. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RUHN
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Running pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RUHNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of running
American and British speakers say running in essentially the same way: /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: RUHN-ing.
What does running mean?
- (American football) a play in which a player attempts to carry the ball through or past the opposing team“the defensive line braced to stop the run”“the coach put great emphasis on running”
- the act of running; traveling on foot at a fast pace“he broke into a run”“his daily run keeps him fit”
- the state of being in operation“a running engine”
- (of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream“as mountain stream with freely running water”“hovels without running water”
- continually repeated over a period of time“a running joke among us”
- of advancing the ball by running“the team's running plays worked better than its pass plays”
Where does running come from?
By surface analysis, run + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with running
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of running.
Questions about saying running
How do you pronounce running?
Say RUHN-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈrʌnɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈrʌnɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in running?
Running has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RUHN). Broken into parts: RUHN · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say running the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈrʌnɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.