2 syllables: clo, ning. Stress on clo.
KLOH-ning
/ˈkloʊnɪŋ/
cloning is pronounced KLOH-ning (/ˈkloʊnɪŋ/). It has two syllables (clo-ning), with the stress on "clo". Cloning refers to producing a genetically identical copy of an organism, cell, or piece of DNA. In broader use, it also means creating a duplicate or replica of something, often through replication of its features or data. The term encompasses scientific techniques, ethical considerations, and discussions about individuality and heredity. It is a noun form derived from the verb clone, with -ing indicating ongoing or process-oriented action.
Cloning refers to producing a genetically identical copy of an organism, cell, or piece of DNA. In broader use, it also means creating a duplicate or replica of something, often through replication of its features or data. The term encompasses scientific techniques, ethical considerations, and discussions about individuality and heredity. It is a noun form derived from the verb clone, with -ing indicating ongoing or process-oriented action.
"Researchers announced a breakthrough in cloning endangered species."
"The company faced debate over cloning software for data security."
"She described the cloning process step by step during the lecture."
Pronounce it as /ˈkloʊ.nɪŋ/ in US and UK, with primary stress on the first syllable. The first syllable rhymes with 'glow' and includes a long O sound; the second syllable is a short, unstressed 'ning' with a clear nasal n. In faster speech, you’ll often hear a light reduction of the second vowel to a schwa-like sound before -ing, but in careful speech keep /ɪ/ distinct. Audio reference: consult Cambridge/Oxford pronunciations for exact mouth positions.
Common errors include misplacing stress (unlike many two-syllable words with stress on the second syllable) and mispronouncing the vowel in the second syllable as a full 'o' or a long vowel. Another frequent mistake is blending the /l/ and /oʊ/ too tightly, making it sound like 'clown-ing' instead of 'clo-ning'. Practice by isolating /kloʊ/ and ensuring a crisp /nɪŋ/ without adding extra syllable weight.
In US and UK, the primary stress stays on the first syllable: /ˈkloʊ.nɪŋ/ (US) and /ˈkləʊ.nɪŋ/ (UK). The main difference is the quality of the first vowel: rhotic American /oʊ/ can sound tighter and more diphthongal, while UK /əʊ/ in some accents may reduce to a more centralized vowel before the /n/. Australian English tends to align with non-rhotic and can slightly flatten the /əʊ/ toward /oʊ/ in casual speech, but still keeps the /ˈklɒnɪŋ/ or /ˈkləʊ.nɪŋ/ depending on speaker.
The challenge centers on the diphthong in the first syllable /oʊ/ (US) or /əʊ/ (UK), which slides from a mid to a high vowel, plus the rapid transition to the nasal /n/ and the unstressed /ɪŋ/. The /l/ immediately before the diphthong requires a light tongue-lung coordination to avoid a vocalized or 'dark' L. Additionally, keeping the second syllable short /ɪŋ/ without an extra vowel sound can be tricky in connected speech.
The first syllable carries the bulk of the energy with a clearer, primary stress on /kloʊ/; the following /nɪŋ/ should be brisk and clipped. A common quirk is lengthening the /l/ or making the /ɪ/ too tense. In careful articulation, ensure a clean separation between /kloʊ/ and /nɪŋ/, and avoid turning it into /klo.nɒn/ or /kləʊ.nɪn/ in rapid speech. Monitor mouth opening and keep the jaw relaxed to maintain the two-syllable rhythm.
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Cloning derives from the noun clone, itself from the Greek word klon, meaning twig or sprout, used in botany to describe cuttings that grow into new plants. In the 17th- to 19th-century scientific literature, cloning was used metaphorically to describe any replication process. The modern biological sense—generation of genetically identical organisms or cells—emerged in the 1950s and 1960s as molecular biology advanced, with early experiments in plant cloning and cellular cloning (e.g., bacterial colonies) followed by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in the late 20th century. The verb form clone is attested in English from the 20th century, with -ing forming a gerund/participle indicating the action or process. The term has since expanded to include digital and software contexts (cloned data, cloned repositories), maintaining the core idea of exact replication as its semantic core.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "cloning" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "cloning" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "cloning"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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