How to pronounce smarting
Say it like SMAR-ting. Smarting has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SMAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce smarting. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SMAR
- ting
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Smarting pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SMARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of smarting
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SMAH-ting.
What does smarting mean?
- Painful, sore.“My arm is still smarting from where the ball hit it.”
- Experiencing emotional pain or embarrassment.
- present participle and gerund of smart How to pronounce smart
- A sensation that smarts or stings.
Where does smarting come from?
From Middle English smertyng, smertinge, from Old English smeortung, smertung (“smarting, itching”), equivalent to smart + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with smarting
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of smarting.
Questions about saying smarting
How do you pronounce smarting?
Say SMAR-ting. The American pronunciation is /ˈsmɑrtɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈsmɑːtɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in smarting?
Smarting has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SMAR). Broken into parts: SMAR · ting.
Is smarting 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 /ˈsmɑːtɪŋ/ (SMAH-ting).