How to pronounce startling
Say it like START-ling. Startling has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (START).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce startling. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈstɑrtlɪŋ/START-ling
UK British/ˈstɑːtəlɪŋ/STAH-tuh-ling
- START
- ling
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Startling pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STARTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- lingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of startling
- American English uses 2 syllables and British English 3.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: STAH-tuh-ling.
What does startling mean?
verb
- present participle and gerund of startle How to pronounce startle
- Likely to startle; surprising; shocking.
- A startle; a sudden motion or shock.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying startling
How do you pronounce startling?
Say START-ling. The American pronunciation is /ˈstɑrtlɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈstɑːtəlɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in startling?
Startling has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (START). Broken into parts: START · ling.
Is startling pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 2 syllables and British English 3. The British form is /ˈstɑːtəlɪŋ/ (STAH-tuh-ling).