3 syllables: ga, ther, ing. Stress on ga.
GATH-ur-ing
/ˈɡæðɚɪŋ/
gathering is pronounced GATH-ur-ing (/ˈɡæðɚɪŋ/). It has three syllables (ga-ther-ing), with the stress on "ga". Gathering refers to the act of collecting or bringing people or things together, or a social event where people come together. It can describe a meeting, assembly, or a form of social gathering. The term emphasizes proximity and convergence, often implying preparation or planning preceding the event.
Gathering refers to the act of collecting or bringing people or things together, or a social event where people come together. It can describe a meeting, assembly, or a form of social gathering. The term emphasizes proximity and convergence, often implying preparation or planning preceding the event.
"We’re hosting a community gathering this weekend to discuss local projects."
"The rain forced the outdoor gathering to move indoors."
"A sudden emotional gathering swept the room as the speaker began."
Pronounce as /ˈɡæðərɪŋ/ in General American. The stress falls on the first syllable: GA-ther-ing. The /ɡ/ is a hard g, /æ/ in the first syllable sounds like cat, /ð/ is a voiced interdental fricative (tongue between teeth), the second syllable has a schwa before final /ŋ/. Keep the /ðər/ sequence smooth, avoiding a voiceless halt between /æ/ and /ð/. Audio resources: Cambridge or Forvo can provide native pronunciations for comparison.
Two common errors: (1) pronouncing the second syllable as /ɪ/ or /i/ instead of a reduced /ə/ (GA-ther-ing with a clear /ɪ/). (2) misarticulating /ð/ as /d/ or /t/; keep it voiced and dental. Another pitfall is rolling the /ɡ/ into /ɡə/ without reducing the middle vowel, making the word feel choppy. Practice: focus on the /ðə/ sequence with a light touch of the tongue to meet the teeth and avoid tensing the jaw.
In US English, /ˈɡæðərɪŋ/ with rhoticity perceived as /ɹ/ in some regions and a clear /ɹ/ after /ə/. In UK English, expect /ˈɡædərɪŋ/ with a shorter /æ/ and less rhotic influence; the /ð/ remains dental but often softer. Australian English often shows a slightly centralized /ə/ in the second syllable and a less pronounced /ɜ/; the /ð/ is still dental-fricative but may be weaker, giving a smoother overall rhythm. IPA guidance remains /ˈɡædərɪŋ/ in most contexts with regional vowel variability.
The difficulty centers on the /ð/ sound, which is uncommon for many language backgrounds and requires placing the tongue between the teeth with voicing. The sequence /ðər/ near the schwa can create a subtle vowel-consonant cluster that’s easy to compress, especially when speaking quickly. Additionally, the initial /ɡæ/ can blend with the following /ð/ if you don’t separate them, resulting in a slurred rhythm. Intensive practice of /ð/ and vowel reduction helps.
There is no silent letter in gathering; the typical challenge is the interwoven /ð/ (the soft th) and the unstressed schwa in the middle syllable. The word follows a simple three-syllable pattern GAT-her-ing with primary stress on the first syllable. Understanding the placement of /ˈɡædərɪŋ/ helps you avoid over-articulation in the middle and final syllables, ensuring natural rhythm and clarity.
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Gathering originates from Middle English gatheren, from Old English gaderian, meaning to bring together, assemble, or collect. The root gader- is linked to the Proto-Germanic *gadaranan*, conveying act of bringing or joining. Over time, the meaning broadened from the literal sense of gathering crops or people to more abstract senses such as “a coming together” for a purpose or event. The word entered English usage in the early medieval period, with the sense of “an assembly” appearing in the 14th–15th centuries. By the 16th–17th centuries, gathering commonly described social assemblies, religious meetings, and informal meetings of people. In modern usage, gathering captures both the physical act of bringing together and the event formed by such bringing together, plus figurative senses like gathering evidence or data. The evolution reflects social organization and collective action, aligning with ceremonies, conferences, and community events in English-speaking cultures.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "gathering" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "gathering" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "gathering"
-ing sounds
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