How to Pronounce Wailing

To pronounce "wailing", say WAIL-ing — 2 syllables, IPA /ˈweɪlɪŋ/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

wailing

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Accent

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Speed

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2

Syllables

7

Letters

/ˈweɪlɪŋ/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “wailing”

"wailing" has 2 syllables: wail-ing. It rhymes with prevailing and unveiling, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: whaling — easy to mix up when writing.

What does wailing mean?

verb

  1. To cry out, as in sorrow or anguish.
  2. To weep, lament persistently or bitterly.

noun

  1. A loud drawn out scream or howl.

verb

  1. To strike the skin in such a way as to produce a wale or welt.
  2. To give a surface a texture of wales or welts.

Hear “wailing” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with wailing

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

prevailingunveilingtrailingunavailingflailingtailingrailingsailingveilingimpalingscalingdetailing

Related words

bawlingwailfullamentingsorrowfulcryingsobbingkeeninghowling

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "wailing"?▾

"Wailing" has 2 syllables: wail · ing.

What is the IPA transcription of "wailing"?▾

The IPA transcription of "wailing" is /ˈweɪlɪŋ/.

What does "wailing" mean?▾

Wailing: To cry out, as in sorrow or anguish.

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