How to pronounce tottering
Say it like TOT-uh-ring. Tottering has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TOT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tottering. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TOT
- uh
- ring
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tottering pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TOTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ringKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of tottering
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: TOT-uh-ring.
What does tottering mean?
- present participle and gerund of totter How to pronounce totter
- Unsteady, precarious or rickety.
- Unstable, insecure or wobbly.
- The movement of one who totters.
Questions about saying tottering
How do you pronounce tottering?
Say TOT-uh-ring. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɑtərɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈtɒtərɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tottering?
Tottering has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TOT). Broken into parts: TOT · uh · ring.
Is tottering pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈtɒtərɪŋ/ (TOT-uh-ring).