How to pronounce tearing
Say it like TER-ing. Tearing has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tearing. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TER
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tearing pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of tearing
American and British speakers say tearing in essentially the same way: /ˈtɛrɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈtɛərɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: TAIR-ing.
Other ways to say tearing
Tearing also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- TIR-ing /ˈtɪrɪŋ/
What does tearing mean?
- shedding tears
- marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid“fierce loyalty”“in a tearing rage”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with tearing
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tearing.
Questions about saying tearing
How do you pronounce tearing?
Say TER-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛrɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈtɛərɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tearing?
Tearing has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TER). Broken into parts: TER · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say tearing the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtɛrɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈtɛərɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.