How to pronounce shocking
Say it like SHOK-ing. Shocking has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHOK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce shocking. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHOK
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Shocking pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHOKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of shocking
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: SHOK-ing.
What does shocking mean?
- glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism“lurid details of the accident”
- giving offense to moral sensibilities and injurious to reputation“scandalous behavior”“the wicked rascally shameful conduct of the bankrupt”
Where does shocking come from?
From shock + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with shocking
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of shocking.
Questions about saying shocking
How do you pronounce shocking?
Say SHOK-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃɑkɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈʃɒkɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in shocking?
Shocking has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHOK). Broken into parts: SHOK · ing.
Is shocking pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈʃɒkɪŋ/ (SHOK-ing).