2 syllables: freez, ing. Stress on freez.
FREE-zing
/ˈfɹizɪŋ/
freezing is pronounced FREE-zing (/ˈfɹizɪŋ/). It has two syllables (freez-ing), with the stress on "freez". Freezing refers to the process of becoming or causing something to become solid or very cold, typically by exposure to subzero temperatures. It can describe temperatures below the freezing point, or the act of chilling an object or environment rapidly. In broader contexts, it can metaphorically denote a sudden stop or stiffening of movement or emotion.
Freezing refers to the process of becoming or causing something to become solid or very cold, typically by exposure to subzero temperatures. It can describe temperatures below the freezing point, or the act of chilling an object or environment rapidly. In broader contexts, it can metaphorically denote a sudden stop or stiffening of movement or emotion.
"The lake remained freezing into late March, making it unsafe to skate."
"Her hands went numb as the freezing wind whipped through the alley."
"The chef tested the ice cream to ensure it reached freezing temperatures quickly."
You say FREE-zing, with the primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU /ˈfriːzɪŋ/. The first vowel is a long /iː/ as in see, followed by a z sound /z/, and the final syllable ends with a short /ɪŋ/ cluster. Keep your lips slightly spread, tongue high for /iː/, and finish with a light nasal /ŋ/.
Common mistakes include pronouncing the vowel as a short /ɪ/ (FRI-zing) or reducing the final /ŋ/ to a nasalized /n/. Another error is misplacing the /z/—you should voice the /z/ immediately after the /iː/ and avoid turning it into /s/ or /z/ with extra emphasis. Practice by isolating /friː/ then attaching /zɪŋ/, ensuring the tongue stays high for /iː/ and the /z/ is voiced (not devoiced).
In US/UK/AU, the /ˈfriːzɪŋ/ structure is consistent, with the major vowel /iː/ and a voiced /z/. Differences are subtle: rhoticity does not affect this word, but Australian speakers may have slightly more centralized vowel quality on some speakers, yet the /iː/ remains long. Some rapid speech can reduce the /ɪŋ/ toward a lighter /ɪŋ/ or blend with a preceding schwa in casual speech. Overall, the core is the long /iː/ followed by /z/ and a velar nasal /ŋ/.
The challenge lies in transitioning from the long /iː/ to the voiced /z/ cleanly while maintaining an accurate /ŋ/ at the end. Many learners devoice /z/ or insert a vowel between /iː/ and /z/, producing /friːzɪŋ/ with imperfect consonant linkage. Another difficulty is preserving the crisp /z/ in fluent speech without a pre- or post-syllabic vowel, especially in rapid phrases like 'freezing rain.'
The unique aspect is the transition from a high front vowel to a voiced alveolar fricative, then to a velar nasal. The critical distinction is ensuring the /z/ is clearly voiced and not blended into a glottal stop or confused with /s/. Focus on the sequence /friː/ + /z/ + /ɪŋ/ with no extra vowel between /iː/ and /z/. This makes sense only for freezing and similar forms like freezingly or froze, but here the stability of /friːzɪŋ/ is key.
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US/UK/AU differences: - Vowel length and quality: /iː/ remains long in all; very slight calibration to speaker's mouth shape; - Rhoticity does not affect freezing; - Australians may have slightly more centralized/tensed /iː/ for some speakers; - Difference mainly in connected speech: /friːzɪŋ/ in rapid phrases may harmonize with surrounding vowels, causing subtle reductions, but core remains /ˈfriːzɪŋ/.
The word freezing comes from the verb freeze, which originates from Old English frēosan, related to German frieren and Dutch vriezen, all from the Proto-Germanic *frausanan, stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root *preh- meaning to seize or freeze. The term freeze appeared in Middle English as frisen and freissen, evolving to freezing with the gerund suffix -ing to indicate the ongoing process. The concept of a temperature at or below 0°C (32°F) has long been tied to the physical state change from liquid to solid, which the term freezing commonly denotes. Over centuries, freezing broadened from a literal physical process to describe things becoming cold, stiff, or motionless, and extended metaphorically to describe emotions, behavior, or situations that become rigid or unyielding.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "freezing" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "freezing" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "freezing"
-ing sounds
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