How to pronounce sitting
Say it like SIT-ing. Sitting has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sitting. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SIT
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sitting pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of sitting
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: SIT-ing.
What does sitting mean?
- (photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)“he wanted his portrait painted but couldn't spare time for the sitting”
- the act of assuming or maintaining a seated position“he read the mystery at one sitting”
- a meeting of spiritualists“the seance was held in the medium's parlor”
- (of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks“the seated Madonna”“the audience remained seated”
- not moving and therefore easy to attack“a sitting target”
Where does sitting come from?
From Middle English sittyng, sittynge, equivalent to sit + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with sitting
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sitting.
Questions about saying sitting
How do you pronounce sitting?
Say SIT-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɪtɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈsɪtɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sitting?
Sitting has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIT). Broken into parts: SIT · ing.
Is sitting pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈsɪtɪŋ/ (SIT-ing).