3 syllables: de, part, ing. Stress on part.
/dɪˈpɑɹtɪŋ/
Say it backDeparting is the act of leaving a place or person, typically soon or by a scheduled time. As an adjective, it describes something related to departure. The word combines the verb root depart with the -ing suffix, signaling ongoing action or a descriptive attribute, and is used in varied contexts such as travel, farewells, or events beginning to occur.
- You might drop the strong stress on the second syllable or compress it into /dɪˈpɑːtɪŋ/ without proper duration on /ˈpɑː/. - People often mispronounce /t/ as a flap in rapid speech, turning it into a soft /d/; keep crisp, voiceless /t/. - Final -ing can be reduced or whispered; aim to maintain full /ɪŋ/ or a light nasalization. - First syllable may become too short; keep /dɪ/ and move to the stressed /ˈpɑː/. Practical tips: exaggerate the second syllable briefly when practicing, then relax to a natural pace.
"- The departing train left the station just after dawn."
"- He offered a brief speech to the departing guests."
"- The crew is responsible for all departing passengers’ safety checks."
Pronounce as di-PART-ing with primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: US /dɪˈpɑːtɪŋ/, UK /dɪˈpɑːtɪŋ/, AU /dɪˈpɑːtɪŋ/. Start with the consonant cluster /dɪ/ (lip-tongue touch and short vowel), then /ˈpɑː/ (a long open back unrounded vowel with a strong bilabial stop), and finish with /tɪŋ/ (clear /t/ followed by a nasal -ing). Visual cue: bite the air slightly on /p/ and avoid voicing the /t/.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing stress on the first syllable, saying de-PART-ing; (2) Flattening the /ɪ/ in the first syllable to a schwa; (3) Softening the /t/ to a flap or a quick /d/ in rapid speech; (4) Dropping the final -ing or pronouncing it as -in. Correction: keep the two-part rhythm with clear /ˈpɑː/ and pronounce /t/ as a crisp, voiceless stop, and end with a distinct /ɪŋ/.
In US English, expect /dɪˈpɑːtɪŋ/ with stable /ɑː/ and a non-rhotic? No, US is rhotic but /r/ in this word is not strong; keep /dɪ/ and /pɑː/. UK English often uses /dɪˈpɑːtɪŋ/ with similar vowel but slightly shorter /ɑː/ and a lighter /t/ release; Australian English tends to a rounded higher /ɒ/ or broader /ɑː/ depending on speaker, with a very clear /t/ and a more pronounced vowel duration.
The difficulty lies in the consonant cluster /dɪˈpɑːtɪŋ/ where /t/ is a clear, unreleased stop in careful speech and the vowel quality of /ɑː/ can vary by accent. The -ing suffix adds a velar nasal /ŋ/ that should be held; speakers often reduce it to /n/ or blend with a nasal. Also, stress on the second syllable can be mis-located in fast speech, causing lisps or misaccentuation.
Watch for the vowel length and vowel quality in the second syllable. In careful speech you should have a strong, open-back vowel /ɑː/ in /pɑː/ and a distinct syllable boundary before the -ing. Some speakers may insert a light vowel in the first syllable leading to di-PAH-ting. Aim for di-PART-ing with crisp /t/ and rounded lips for the /ɒ/ vs /ɑː/ contrast.
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- US: /dɪˈpɑːtɪŋ/ with rhotic r influence minimal here; keep /ɪ/ in first syllable short; /ˈpɑː/ long; - UK: /dɪˈpɔːtɪŋ/ or /dɪˈpɑːtɪŋ/ depending on regional vowel shift; choose /ɔː/ or /ɑː/ consistently; - AU: tends toward /dɪˈpɑːtɪŋ/ with a broader vowel and sometimes a slight yod or /j/? not typical; maintain non-rhotic performance; IPA references included.
Departing derives from the verb depart, which comes from Old French departed (partir, to part, leave) from Latin dispartire (to separate, divide, scatter). The Latin root part-,
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Help others use "departing" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "departing" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "departing" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "departing"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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