4 syllables: con, fig, ur, ing. Stress on fig.
kuhn-FIG-yur-ing
/kəˈnfɪɡjɚɪŋ/
configuring is pronounced kuhn-FIG-yur-ing (/kəˈnfɪɡjɚɪŋ/). It has four syllables (con-fig-ur-ing), with the stress on "fig". Configuring is the process of setting up or adjusting a system, device, or software so that it operates in a desired manner. In practice, it often involves selecting options, parameters, or components to tailor functionality. The term emphasizes the preparatory, setup phase rather than the ongoing operation. The gerund form highlights the act of performing these setup actions.
Configuring is the process of setting up or adjusting a system, device, or software so that it operates in a desired manner. In practice, it often involves selecting options, parameters, or components to tailor functionality. The term emphasizes the preparatory, setup phase rather than the ongoing operation. The gerund form highlights the act of performing these setup actions.
"We spent the afternoon configuring the new router to support our guest network."
"The installer is configuring the database server to optimize performance."
"You’ll reach a stable baseline once you’re configuring the application’s security settings."
Say /ˈkɒn.fɪˌɡjʊ.rɪŋ/ (US/UK). Primary stress on the first syllable: CON-. The sequence is /kɒn/ with an open back vowel, then /fɪ/ as a short front high vowel, followed by /ɡjʊ/ where the /ɡ/ collocates with a near-palatal /j/ to form a /ɡj/ blend, and ends with /rɪŋ/ where /ɪ/ is short and /ŋ/ is velar. Keep the /ɡj/ together, not separate sounds. You can listen and compare using Forvo or Pronounce.
Two common errors: (1) Splitting the /ɡj/ cluster into two separate sounds, saying /ɡ/ and /j/ too distinctly. Instead, blend as /ɡj/ quickly. (2) Under-pronouncing the first syllable vowel, making it sound like /kən/ instead of /ˈkɒn/. Focus on the open back vowel in the first syllable and the crisp /fɪ/ before the /ɡj/ blend. Practice with slow careful enunciation, then speed up.
In US/UK/AU, the core is /ˈkɒn.fɪˌɡjʊ.rɪŋ/. The main rhotic difference is that /r/ is pronounced in many US dialects but less prominent in some UK accents; however, in this word the /r/ appears in the final syllable /-rɪŋ/ and is rhotic in rhotic accents. The /ɒ/ in /kɒn/ tends toward /ɑː/ in some UK dialects. AU tends to a non-rhotic tendency similar to some UK varieties, with vowel shifts like /ɒ/ toward /ɒː/. Overall, stress and the /ɡj/ cluster remain consistent across dialects.
The difficulty comes from the /ɡj/ cluster, which blends a velar stop with a palatal approximant, requiring precise articulation and quick transition: /ɡ/ immediately followed by /j/ before the vowel /ʊ/ or /ɪ/ in /ˈɪɡjʊr/ sequences. Additionally, the mixed syllable count (three or four) with a secondary stress on the third syllable /ˌɡjʊ.rɪŋ/ demands careful timing. Practicing the cluster in isolation helps coordinate tongue blade movement and lip posture.
No, there are no silent letters in configuring. Each letter contributes to the sound sequence: c( /k/ ), o( /ɒ/ ), n( /n/ ), f( /f/ ), i( /ɪ/ ), g( /ɡ/ ), u( /jʊ/ as part of /j/ + /ʊ/ ), r( /r/ ), i( /ɪ/ ), n( /ŋ/ ). The tricky part is the /ɡj/ sequence and the spelling-to-sound mapping where 'ing' is pronounced as /ɪŋ/ at the end.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "configuring"!
Configuring comes from the verb configure, which traces to the late 19th century French configure (from old French configurare) and Latin configurare, meaning to form or mold. The Latin root configur- derives from com- (together) and figurare (to form, shape, or fashion), related to figura (shape, form). The term entered English with senses around arranging or shaping something to fit a purpose, often technical or mechanical. In computing and engineering, configuring gained prominence in the 1960s–1980s as systems required explicit setup steps and parameterization. The gerund configuring appeared as a noun-like form to describe the act of setting up, often used in phrases like configuring options or configuring hardware. First known uses appear in technical manuals and early computer documentation, where teams would refer to “configuring the system” as a distinct preliminary stage before operation. Over time, configuring broadened beyond hardware to software, networks, and services, becoming a common action noun in IT, networking, and consumer electronics. The evolution mirrors a shift from static devices to configurable systems, where explicit configuration steps determine behavior, security posture, and compatibility. In contemporary usage, configuring emphasizes a deliberate, often scripted, adjustment process that yields a configured state rather than ongoing operation. The word’s form remains stable across variants, with only minor pronunciation shifts in stress patterns across dialects.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "configuring" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "configuring" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "configuring" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "configuring"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
