How to pronounce sharpening
Say it like SHAR-puh-ning. Sharpening has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHAR).
VoiceSpeed
US American/ˈʃɑrpənɪŋ/SHAR-puh-ning
UK British/ˈʃɑːpənɪŋ/SHAH-puh-ning
- SHAR
- puh
- ning
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sharpening pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ningKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of sharpening
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SHAH-puh-ning.
What does sharpening mean?
verb
- present participle and gerund of sharpen How to pronounce sharpen
- The act by which something is sharpened.
- The debris produced when a pencil is sharpened.
Questions about saying sharpening
How do you pronounce sharpening?
Say SHAR-puh-ning. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃɑrpənɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈʃɑːpənɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sharpening?
Sharpening has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHAR). Broken into parts: SHAR · puh · ning.
Is sharpening 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 /ˈʃɑːpənɪŋ/ (SHAH-puh-ning).