How to pronounce smothering
Say it like SMUHTH-uh-ring. Smothering has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SMUHTH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce smothering. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SMUHTH
- uh
- ring
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Smothering pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SMUHTHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ringKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of smothering
American and British speakers say smothering in essentially the same way: /ˈsmʌðərɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈsmʌðərɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: SMUHTH-uh-ring.
What does smothering mean?
- present participle and gerund of smother How to pronounce smother
- The act by which someone or something is smothered.
Where does smothering come from?
Inherited from Middle English smorþering.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying smothering
How do you pronounce smothering?
Say SMUHTH-uh-ring. The American pronunciation is /ˈsmʌðərɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈsmʌðərɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in smothering?
Smothering has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SMUHTH). Broken into parts: SMUHTH · uh · ring.
Do Americans and Brits say smothering the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsmʌðərɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈsmʌðərɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.