How to pronounce ticking
Say it like TIK-ing. Ticking has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TIK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ticking. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TIK
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ticking pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TIKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of ticking
American and British speakers say ticking in essentially the same way: /ˈtɪkɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈtɪkɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: TIK-ing.
What does ticking mean?
- A strong cotton or linen fabric used to cover pillows and mattresses.
- A sound of something that ticks. (For example, the second hand on a clock face.)
- An illusional style of dance where one moves his or her body to the "tic" of the music creating a strobe or animated effect.
- present participle and gerund of tick How to pronounce tick“a ticking time bomb”
Where does ticking come from?
From tick (“sheet, cover”) + -ing (“material, collection”).
Words that rhyme with ticking
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ticking.
Questions about saying ticking
How do you pronounce ticking?
Say TIK-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɪkɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈtɪkɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ticking?
Ticking has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TIK). Broken into parts: TIK · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say ticking the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtɪkɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈtɪkɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.