How to pronounce willing
Say it like WIL-ing. Willing has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce willing. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WIL
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Willing pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WILSay 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 willing
American and British speakers say willing in essentially the same way: /ˈwɪlɪŋ/ in the US and /ˈwɪlɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: WIL-ing.
What does willing mean?
- the act of making a choice“followed my father of my own volition”
- disposed or inclined toward“a willing participant”“willing helpers”
- not brought about by coercion or force“the confession was uncoerced”
Where does willing come from?
By surface analysis, will + -ing.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with willing
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of willing.
Questions about saying willing
How do you pronounce willing?
Say WIL-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɪlɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈwɪlɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in willing?
Willing has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIL). Broken into parts: WIL · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say willing the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈwɪlɪŋ/ and the British form is /ˈwɪlɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.