How to pronounce shellacking
Say it like shel-AK-ing. Shellacking has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce shellacking. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- shel
- AK
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Shellacking pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- shelGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- AKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of shellacking
American and British speakers say shellacking in essentially the same way: /ˌʃɛˈlækɪŋ/ in the US and /ˌʃɛˈlækɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: shel-AK-ing.
What does shellacking mean?
- present participle and gerund of shellac How to pronounce shellac
- The act or process of coating with shellac.
- A heavy defeat, drubbing, or beating; used particularly in sports and political contexts.
Words that rhyme with shellacking
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of shellacking.
Questions about saying shellacking
How do you pronounce shellacking?
Say shel-AK-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˌʃɛˈlækɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˌʃɛˈlækɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in shellacking?
Shellacking has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AK). Broken into parts: shel · AK · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say shellacking the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌʃɛˈlækɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˌʃɛˈlækɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.