3 syllables: Bul, ly, ing. Stress on Bul.
BUUL-ee-ing
/ˈbʊliɪŋ/
Bullying is pronounced BUUL-ee-ing (/ˈbʊliɪŋ/). It has three syllables (Bul-ly-ing), with the stress on "Bul". Bullying is the act or behavior of intimidating, harassing, or coercing someone perceived as weaker. It can be physical, verbal, or social, and often occurs repeatedly to establish power. The term covers experiences ranging from schoolyard teasing to ongoing abusive conduct in various settings.
nounBullying is the act or behavior of intimidating, harassing, or coercing someone perceived as weaker. It can be physical, verbal, or social, and often occurs repeatedly to establish power. The term covers experiences ranging from schoolyard teasing to ongoing abusive conduct in various settings.
How to Pronounce Bullying
"The school implemented new policies to prevent bullying and protect students."
"Online bullying can escalate quickly and has serious emotional consequences."
"Witnesses reported that the bully targeted classmates who seemed vulnerable."
Bullying is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈbʊl.ɪŋ/ in US and /ˈbʌl.ɪŋ/ in UK. The first syllable carries primary stress. The vowel in the first syllable is a short close vowel: US /ʊ/ as in pull; UK /ʌ/ as in cut. The final -ling uses a clear /l/ before /ɪŋ/. Practicing slowly, you’ll feel a light tongue raise for /ʊ/ (or /ʌ/), then the alveolar /l/ and the velar nasal /ŋ/. Audio reference: you can compare with a standard pronunciation sample on Pronounce or a trusted dictionary entry.
Common errors include mispronouncing the first vowel as a longer /uː/ or turning the second syllable into /-ɪŋ/ with a tense vowel. Some speakers insert a schwa before -ling (bu-LING) or reduce the two syllables to a quick one-syllable slide. To correct: ensure primary stress on the first syllable, use /ˈbʊl.ɪŋ/ (US) or /ˈbʌl.ɪŋ/ (UK), keep the /l/ clear, and finish with a crisp /ŋ/. Listen to native samples and imitate the mouth position.
US tends to use /ˈbʊl.ɪŋ/, with a rounded /ʊ/ and a lighter /ɪ/ in the second syllable. UK often uses /ˈbʌl.ɪŋ/, a more open first vowel, and tends to be non-rhotic in connected speech, though this word is typically rhotic in careful speech. Australian tends toward /ˈbʊl.ɪŋ/ or /ˈbʌl.ɪŋ/, with vowel quality influenced by regional vowel shifts; the final -ling remains /-lɪŋ/. In all, /l/ and /ŋ/ are stable, but vowel color and stress timing vary.
The challenge lies in the short, lax vowel in the first syllable and the quick transition into the /l/ then /ɪŋ/ sequence. The /ʊ/ or /ʌ/ can be subtle, impacting intelligibility, especially in fast speech. Additionally, the final /ŋ/ requires a velar nasal closure with the back of the tongue. Practice by isolating the first vowel, then pairing with /l/ and /ɪŋ/, using slow tempo before increasing speed.
A unique point is the strong consonant cluster between the first and second vowels: /l/ followed by /ɪ/. The rapid shift from a rounded/low vowel to a high-front vowel can cause vowel shortening and reduced clarity in casual speech. Focusing on the precise tongue position for /l/ and maintaining a crisp /ɪŋ/ helps maintain clear delineation between syllables, especially in connected speech.
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US: /ˈbʊl.ɪŋ/ - keep /ʊ/ rounded and shorter; /l/ as clear light touch. UK: /ˈbʌl.ɪŋ/ - allow a slightly wider mouth opening, maintain non-rhoticity in connected speech. AU: often /ˈbʊl.ɪŋ/ or /ˈbʌl.ɪŋ/, with broader vowels; listen for regional rhotics and vowel length differences. Vowels: /ʊ/ vs /ʌ/ influence. Consonants: /l/ firmly articulated, /ŋ/ soft but audible. IPA references: US /ˈbʊl.ɪŋ/, UK /ˈ b ʌl.ɪŋ/, AU /ˈbʊl.ɪŋ/.
Bullying derives from bully, which dates to 16th-century English, originally meaning ‘to harass or intimidate a person with one’s strength or power.’ The word bully itself traces to the Dutch and Low German word boel, boelij, and later boele or boelia, reflecting a harsh, aggressive behavior. In Middle English, bully broadened to describe someone who dominates others; by the 18th and 19th centuries, the term had become more specific to intimidation and coercion. The modern noun bullying emerged as a distinct noun in the 20th century, correlated with social dynamics, peer pressure, and organizational power, especially in schools and workplaces. Today, bullying encompasses physical, verbal, relational, and cyber forms, reflecting evolving social contexts while retaining core notions of repeated aggressiveness and imbalance of power.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Bullying" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Bullying"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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