How to pronounce spending
Say it like SPEN-ding. Spending has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce spending. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SPEN
- ding
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Spending pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- dingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of spending
American and British speakers say spending in essentially the same way: /ˈspɛndɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈspɛndɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: SPEN-ding.
What does spending mean?
- the act of spending or disbursing money
- money paid out; an amount spent
Where does spending come from?
From Middle English spendyng, spendynge, from Old English spendung (“spending”), equivalent to spend + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with spending
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of spending.
Questions about saying spending
How do you pronounce spending?
Say SPEN-ding. The American pronunciation is /ˈspɛndɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈspɛndɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in spending?
Spending has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPEN). Broken into parts: SPEN · ding.
Do Americans and Brits say spending the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈspɛndɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈspɛndɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.