3 syllables: fur, ther, ing. Stress on fur.
FUR-thur-ing
/ˈfɝðɚɪŋ/
furthering is pronounced FUR-thur-ing (/ˈfɝðɚɪŋ/). It has three syllables (fur-ther-ing), with the stress on "fur". Furthering (noun or verb form) refers to the act of promoting or advancing something, typically in order to support a goal or project. As a gerund or present participle, it describes ongoing action toward advancement, progress, or enhancement. The term emphasizes forward movement and facilitation, often in organizational, policy, or academic contexts.
Furthering (noun or verb form) refers to the act of promoting or advancing something, typically in order to support a goal or project. As a gerund or present participle, it describes ongoing action toward advancement, progress, or enhancement. The term emphasizes forward movement and facilitation, often in organizational, policy, or academic contexts.
"The organization is furthering its commitment to environmental sustainability."
"She is actively furthering her research by collaborating with international partners."
"Funding was secured to furthering community outreach programs."
You pronounce it as FUR-ther-ing, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU: ˈfɜːrðərɪŋ. The middle -ther- consonant cluster is voiced th (/ð/) followed by a schwa in fast speech, and final -ing is /ɪŋ/. Keep the jaw relatively relaxed and a light, quick 'r' in rhotic accents.
Common errors include misplacing stress (pronouncing as fur-THER-ing) and mispronouncing the /ð/ as /d/ or /z/ (saying /ˈfɜːrdərɪŋ/ without the voiced dental fricative). Another frequent slip is shrinking the unstressed -er- into a weak vowel or conflating /ər/ with /ɜːr/ in non-rhotic speech. Correct by recognizing /ˈfɜːr/ starts with a clear /ɜː/ vowel and the /ð/ is a voiced dental fricative with tongue blade between teeth.
In US and UK rhotic varieties, the initial /ɜː/ tends to be a mid-back unrounded vowel; Americans may show a slightly shorter /ɜr/ with stronger rhoticity, while UK speakers preserve clearer /ɜː/ with a light rhotic touch. Australians often reduce the /ɜː/ toward a more centralized vowel and may have a softer /ð/ with a touch of dentalization. Overall, the final -ing remains /ɪŋ/ across accents.
The challenge lies in the /ð/ sound between two vowels and consonants: /ˈfɜːrðərɪŋ/. You need a voiced dental fricative between /r/ and /ər/, and the stress on the first syllable tends to pull the tongue into a tense position. Mis-sequencing the /ər/ can create an indistinct middle vowel. Practice with minimal pairs and slow repetition to lock the /ð/ in place and maintain even syllable timing.
A unique feature is the sequence /rð/ where the alveolar /r/ and the voiced dental fricative /ð/ touch in rapid speech. It’s easy to blur into /ˈfɜːrərɪŋ/ or /ˈfɜːðɚɪŋ/. Focus on the dental fricative immediately after the /r/ and keep the tongue blade lightly between the teeth for a clean /ð/ sound before the schwa.
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Furthering derives from the adjective further, meaning more distant or additional, plus the -ing participle forming suffixes used to create gerunds and present participles. The word traces back to Old English furðarian, from furð- meaning forward, toward the front, with the verb-forming suffix -ian and later the -ing participle. The semantic shift from physical forward movement to metaphorical progression (advancement, promotion) occurred over centuries as English speakers began using furthering to describe actions that promote goals, policies, or ideas. In modern usage, furthering can function as a verb (to further something) or a noun (furthering of a cause). First known written uses appear in Middle English medical and legal texts, but the idiomatic sense of advancing a objective became prominent in the 16th-17th centuries and continues in contemporary discourse.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "furthering" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "furthering" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "furthering"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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