How to pronounce serving
Say it like SUR-ving. Serving has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce serving. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUR
- ving
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Serving pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- vingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of serving
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SUR-ving.
What does serving mean?
- an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal“the helpings were all small”“his portion was larger than hers”
- the act of delivering a writ or summons upon someone“he accepted service of the subpoena”
Where does serving come from?
By surface analysis, serve + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with serving
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of serving.
Questions about saying serving
How do you pronounce serving?
Say SUR-ving. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɝvɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈsɜːvɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in serving?
Serving has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR). Broken into parts: SUR · ving.
Is serving 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 /ˈsɜːvɪŋ/ (SUR-ving).