How to pronounce softening
Say it like SAW-fuh-ning. Softening has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce softening. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SAW
- fuh
- ning
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Softening pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- fuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ningKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of softening
American and British speakers say softening in essentially the same way: /ˈsɔfənɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈsɒfənɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: SOF-uh-ning.
What does softening mean?
- present participle and gerund of soften How to pronounce soften
- The process of making something soft.
- The process of becoming soft.
Where does softening come from?
From Middle English softenynge, softynand, equivalent to soften + -ing.
Questions about saying softening
How do you pronounce softening?
Say SAW-fuh-ning. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɔfənɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈsɒfənɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in softening?
Softening has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SAW). Broken into parts: SAW · fuh · ning.
Do Americans and Brits say softening the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɔfənɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈsɒfənɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.