How to pronounce telling
Say it like TEL-ing. Telling has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEL).
- TEL
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Telling pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TELSay 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 telling
American and British speakers say telling in essentially the same way: /ˈtɛlɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈtɛlɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: TEL-ing.
What does telling mean?
- present participle and gerund of tell How to pronounce tell
- Having force, or having a marked effect; weighty, effective.“a telling blow”
- Revealing information; bearing significance.“a telling smile”
- Serving to convince.“telling evidence”
- The act of narration.
- The disclosure of information.
- Ability to determine.
Where does telling come from?
Gerund from the verb tell, from tell + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with telling
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of telling.
Questions about saying telling
How do you pronounce telling?
Say TEL-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛlɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈtɛlɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in telling?
Telling has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEL). Broken into parts: TEL · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say telling the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtɛlɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈtɛlɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.