Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

talking

/ˈtɔkɪŋ/

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.29 in modern English

Syllables: talk-ing
IPA: /ˈtɔkɪŋ/

12

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The action of the verb talk.

Countable; Uncountable

verb

present participle and gerund of talk.

Example Sentences

"It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant."
"1864–65, Anthony Trollope, Can You Forgive Her? He did not himself care for the loose little talkings, half flat and half sharp, of men when they meet together in idleness."

Etymology

From Middle English talkynge. By surface analysis, talk + -ing.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: talkynge, talkyng

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈtɔkɪŋ/
British English: /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/

Usage

Inflected Forms

talkings (plural)

Derived Forms

talmbout

Phrases

do the talking finger-talking talking blues talking circle talking trash trash talking look who's talking now you're talking

Synonyms

talk

Rhymes With

walking stalking hawking squawking overclocking gawking chalking caulking balking

Questions

How do you pronounce talking?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈtɔkɪŋ/.
What does talking mean?: The action of the verb talk.
Where does talking come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce talking

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “talking”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈtɔkɪŋ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “talking”.
Repeat and practice — Say “talking” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.