3 syllables: com, bin, ing. Stress on bin.
kuhm-BEYE-ning
/kəˈmbaɪnɪŋ/
combining is pronounced kuhm-BEYE-ning (/kəˈmbaɪnɪŋ/). It has three syllables (com-bin-ing), with the stress on "bin". Combining is the act or process of joining two or more things together to form a single unit or to create a composite. It often implies integration or synthesis, such as combining ideas, resources, or elements in a manner that preserves their distinct parts while producing a new whole. The term is frequently used in mathematics, linguistics, science, and everyday planning contexts.
Combining is the act or process of joining two or more things together to form a single unit or to create a composite. It often implies integration or synthesis, such as combining ideas, resources, or elements in a manner that preserves their distinct parts while producing a new whole. The term is frequently used in mathematics, linguistics, science, and everyday planning contexts.
"In the lab, we are combining several reagents to observe the reaction."
"Combining data from different sources helped us build a more robust model."
"The artist is combining different textures to create a unique sculpture."
Pronounce it as /ˈkɒm.baɪ.nɪŋ/ in UK/US English and /ˈkɑːm.baɪ.nɪŋ/ in some American dialects; the key is strong initial syllable stress on COM-, followed by a clear /baɪ/ in the second syllable and a final nasal /ŋ/. Lip rounding is moderate on /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ depending on accent, and the diphthong in /baɪ/ should glide smoothly from /b/ to /aɪ/. Practice by isolating each segment: COM- (stressed), -bin- (semi-reduced but distinct), -ing (nasal). See audio references on Pronounce or Forvo to hear regional variants.
Common errors: misplacing stress on the second syllable (coM-BIN-ing) or slurring /baɪ/ into /bai/ without the glide; dropping the final nasal to a stop; and mispronouncing /ɒ/ as /ɔː/ in some US dialects. Correction: keep primary stress on the first syllable /ˈkɒm/ or /ˈkɑːm/, ensure the /baɪ/ contains a clear glide from /b/ to /aɪ/ before transitioning to the final /nɪŋ/, and finish with a crisp /ŋ/. Recording yourself and comparing to a reference can help lock the timing and the nasal ending.
In US and UK, the first syllable carries primary stress, /ˈkɒm/ or /ˈkɑːm/. US vowels in /ɒ/ may be realized as /ɑ/ or /ɒ/ depending on region; the second syllable /baɪ/ is a rising diphthong; the final /ŋ/ is velar nasal. Australian speakers may reduce the /ɒ/ toward /ɐ/ and widen the /aɪ/ glide subtly. Across all, the middle /bɪ/ can be lightly reduced in rapid speech. Focus on keeping the /m/ next to /b/ clear to prevent elision.
The difficulty lies in coordinating three consecutive consonant-vowel blocks with a nasal ending while maintaining stress and smooth transitions. The /m/ and /b/ are bilabial stops that require precise timing to avoid a labial cluster that can blur; the /baɪ/ diphthong has to glide without losing the alveolar /n/ onset of the final -ing. Additionally, regional vowel shifts in /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ can alter the perceived quality. Practice the sequence slowly, then accelerate with rhythm drills.
The unique challenge is aligning the diphthong in /baɪ/ with the following nasal /ŋ/ so the transition does not create an awkward pause. The 'ing' ending can feel like a separate fragment if the /ŋ/ is released prematurely. You’ll hear the natural connect between /ɪ/ and /ŋ/ only when the tongue and jaw carry through the nasal closure. Maintain a fluent, continuous motion from /aɪ/ to /ɪŋ/ for a native-like finish.
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US: rhotic, but /r/ is not present; focus on robust /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ and clear /baɪ/ glide. UK: slightly shorter /ɒ/ and crisper /ŋ/; emphasize non-rhoticity, though some speakers may insert a soft /r/ in rapid speech. AU: /ɒ/ toward /ɒː/ or /ɔː/ with broader jaw opening; diphthong /aɪ/ may be narrower. General tips: keep lips rounded for /ɒ/ or /ɒː/ depending on accent; maintain a steady tempo across /k/ and /m/ to avoid swallowing the /m/ into the /k/; ensure the /b/ is clearly released before the /aɪ/; end with a crisp /ŋ/ with a relaxed jaw. IPA references: US /ˈkɒm.baɪ.nɪŋ/? depending on speaker; UK /ˈkɒm.baɪ.nɪŋ/; AU /ˈkɒm.baɪ.nɪŋ/ with subtle vowel variation.
Combining derives from the verb combine, which comes from Old French combiner, from Latin comprimere ‘to press together’ or ‘to bring together’. The Latin root com- means ‘together’, and Anbieter (not the correct root) isn’t relevant here—correct root is com- + -bine, from Latin binere ‘to bind’ via the stem bin- (as in binary, combine). The sense expanded in English to mean “to bring into union” during Middle English, with influences from scientific and mathematical discourse as disciplines formalized methods of synthesis. By the 18th and 19th centuries, combining appeared in chemistry (e.g., combining elements) and poetry (combining imagery), before spreading to general use in business, logistics, and information theory. The word now commonly appears in phrases like ‘combining techniques’, ‘combining data sets’, and ‘combining forces’, reflecting an ongoing trend toward synthesis across fields.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "combining" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "combining"
-ing sounds
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