How to pronounce standing
Say it like STAN-ding. Standing has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce standing. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- STAN
- ding
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Standing pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- dingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of standing
American and British speakers say standing in essentially the same way: /ˈstændɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈstændɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: STAN-ding.
What does standing mean?
- having a supporting base“a standing lamp”
- not created for a particular occasion“a standing committee”
- (of fluids) not moving or flowing“mosquitoes breed in standing water”
- social or financial or professional status or reputation“of equal standing”“a member in good standing”
- an ordered listing of scores or results showing the relative positions of competitors (individuals or teams) in a sporting event
- the act of assuming or maintaining an erect upright position
Where does standing come from?
From Middle English standynge, stondynge, standende, stondinde, standande, stondande, from Old English standende, stondende, from Proto-Germanic *standandz (“standing”), present participle of Proto-Germanic *standaną (“to stand”), equivalent to stand + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with standing
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of standing.
Questions about saying standing
How do you pronounce standing?
Say STAN-ding. The American pronunciation is /ˈstændɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈstændɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in standing?
Standing has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STAN). Broken into parts: STAN · ding.
Do Americans and Brits say standing the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈstændɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈstændɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.