How to Pronounce Frightening

To pronounce "frightening", say FRIGHT-en-ing — 3 syllables, IPA /ˈfɹaɪtnɪŋ/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

frightening

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Accent

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3

Syllables

11

Letters

/ˈfɹaɪtnɪŋ/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “frightening”

"frightening" has 3 syllables: fright-en-ing. It rhymes with enlightening and lightening, if that helps it stick.

What does frightening mean?

verb

  1. To cause to feel fear; to scare; to cause to feel alarm or fright.

    “Avery puts a sheet over her head, pretending to be a ghost to frighten Emily.”

adjective

  1. Causing fear; of capable of causing fear; scary.

    “Riding the rollercoaster was a frightening experience.”

  2. Awful, terrible, very bad.

Words that rhyme with frightening

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

enlighteninglighteninglightningheighteningwhiteningbrighteningtightening

Related words

fearsomealarmingfearfuldreadeddreaddirefulterrorisationterrible

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "frightening"?▾

"Frightening" has 3 syllables: fright · en · ing.

What is the IPA transcription of "frightening"?▾

The IPA transcription of "frightening" is /ˈfɹaɪtnɪŋ/.

What does "frightening" mean?▾

Frightening: To cause to feel fear; to scare; to cause to feel alarm or fright.

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