How to Pronounce Waiting

To pronounce "waiting", say WAIT-ing — 2 syllables, IPA /[ˈweɪ̯ɾɪŋ]/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

waiting

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying waiting, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

Syllables

Letters

/[ˈweɪ̯ɾɪŋ]/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “waiting”

"waiting" has 2 syllables: wait-ing. It rhymes with titillating and captivating, if that helps it stick.

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

What does waiting mean?

verb

To delay movement or action until the arrival or occurrence of; to await. (Now generally superseded by “wait for”.)
To delay movement or action until some event or time; to remain neglected or in readiness.
“Wait here until your car arrives.”

noun

Watching.
The act of staying or remaining in expectation.

Synonyms

attend escort go with bestand serve tend defer postpone

Words that rhyme with waiting

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

titillating captivating grating deprecating invigorating excruciating exhilarating fascinating exasperating stimulating debilitating fluctuating

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "waiting"?▾

"Waiting" has 2 syllables: wait · ing.

What is the IPA transcription of "waiting"?▾

The IPA transcription of "waiting" is /[ˈweɪ̯ɾɪŋ]/.

What does "waiting" mean?▾

Waiting: To delay movement or action until the arrival or occurrence of; to await. (Now generally superseded by “wait for”.)

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “waiting” in the full dictionary →