3 syllables: de, vo, ting. Stress on vo.
/dɪˈvoʊtɪŋ/
Say it backDevoting is the act of dedicating time, effort, or attention to a person, cause, or task. It conveys sustained commitment and focus, often implying a gift of oneself or prioritizing something over other concerns. In usage, it can describe the process of giving hours or resources toward a goal, sometimes with emotional or moral implications.
"She has been devoting her weekends to volunteering at the shelter."
"He is devoting more time to his craft after accepting feedback."
"They are devoting considerable energy to solving the problem."
Pronounce as /dɪˈvoʊtɪŋ/ (US) or /dɪˈvəʊtɪŋ/ (UK). The stress is on the second syllable: de-VO-ting. The first syllable is a short /dɪ/; the middle vowel is the long /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ depending on accent; the final is the rhotacized or unaspirated /tɪŋ/. Mouth: start with a light d, quick moving into the long o diphthong, then a sharp t followed by a nasal -ing. Try to maintain a smooth transition between the vowel in the second syllable and the -ing ending.
Common errors: misplacing stress (e.g., de-VO-ting with weak second syllable); mispronouncing the vowel as a short /ɪ/ or /ə/ in the second syllable; blending the /t/ with the /ɪŋ/ into a d-ting sound. Correction: keep the primary stress on the second syllable and clearly articulate the long diphthong /oʊ/ (US) or /əʊ/ (UK) before the /t/. Ensure the /t/ is released with a crisp stop before the /ɪŋ/ suffix, not swallowed into the nasal. Practice by isolating the /oʊ/ and then adding /tɪŋ/.
US: /dɪˈvoʊtɪŋ/ with rhoticity and a clear /oʊ/; UK: /dɪˈvəʊtɪŋ/ with a schwa-like first syllable and a lengthened /əʊ/ in the second; AU: /dɪˈvəːtɪŋ/ often with a more centralized /ə/ and a lengthened /ː/ in the second syllable. The main difference is the first syllable vowel and the pronunciation of the second syllable’s vowel (oʊ vs əʊ). The rhythm remains strong on the second syllable in all varieties.
The difficulty lies in the diphthong in the second syllable and the crisp /t/ before -ing, which can blur in rapid speech. Some speakers reduce the second syllable to a schwa or slightly vocalize it, making /voʊtɪŋ/ harder to discern as distinct from /v(ə)ˈoʊtɪŋ/. The transition from the long /oʊ/ to the /t/ and the /ɪŋ/ ending requires precise timing to avoid a glottal stop or assimilation. Practicing the sequence slowly helps cement the articulation.
A unique feature is accurately delivering the /t/ before a nasal + ing cluster without nasal assimilation muting the stop. Many speakers blur /t/ into /d/ or drop it in rapid speech, producing /dɪˈvoʊŋ/ or /dɪˈvoʊtɪŋ/ with insufficient release. Emphasize a clean /t/ release before /ɪŋ/ and avoid flapping in American casual speech. Also ensure the second syllable carries primary stress for meaning clarity.
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US: stress on /ˈvoʊ/; maintain a strong diphthong in the second syllable and a distinct /t/. UK: /dɪˈvəʊtɪŋ/ with shorter first syllable and less pronounced /r/ (non-rhotic). AU: /dɪˈvəːtɪŋ/ often features a longer /əː/ or /ɜː/ in the second syllable; pitch tends to be more melodic with wider vowel space. Vowel notes: US /oʊ/ is a rising diphthong; UK /əʊ/ is a closed-mid back rounded vowel; AU /əː/ is a near-open-mid central vowel. Consonants: keep /d/ clear at onset, ensure /t/ is released before /ɪŋ/. In connected speech, /t/ can link to the following /ɪ/ very quickly; practice with gradual tempo to maintain clarity.
Devoting derives from the verb devote, which comes from the Middle French devoter, itself from Latin dedicare (de- 'completely' + dare 'to give'). The sense evolution tracks from pledging or consecrating something (often religious or ceremonial) to the broader secular meaning of dedicating time or attention to a person or cause. In English, devote entered Middle English via Old French in the 14th–15th centuries, with early uses tied to religious dedication or service. Over time, the word widened to encompass lay contexts such as scholarship, work, and personal commitments. The present participle form devoting indicates ongoing action and emphasis on sustained, active engagement. First known usages appear in religious and legal contexts where individuals devoted resources or their lives to a higher duty, later expanding to everyday language for emphasis on persistent effort and focus.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "devoting" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "devoting"
-ing sounds
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