How to pronounce sounding
Say it like SOWN-ding. Sounding has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOWN).
- SOWN
- ding
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sounding pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SOWNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- dingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of sounding
American and British speakers say sounding in essentially the same way: /ˈsaʊndɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈsaʊndɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: SOWN-ding.
What does sounding mean?
- appearing to be as specified; usually used as combining forms“left their clothes dirty looking”“a most disagreeable looking character”
- having volume or deepness“sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal”“the sounding cataract haunted me like a passion”
- making or having a sound as specified; used as a combining form“harsh-sounding”
- a measure of the depth of water taken with a sounding line
- the act of measuring depth of water (usually with a sounding line)
Where does sounding come from?
From sound (“produce a sound”) + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with sounding
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sounding.
Questions about saying sounding
How do you pronounce sounding?
Say SOWN-ding. The American pronunciation is /ˈsaʊndɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈsaʊndɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sounding?
Sounding has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOWN). Broken into parts: SOWN · ding.
Do Americans and Brits say sounding the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsaʊndɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈsaʊndɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.