3 syllables: Men, tor, ing. Stress on Men.
MEN-tur-ing
/ˈmɛntɚɪŋ/
Mentoring is pronounced MEN-tur-ing (/ˈmɛntɚɪŋ/). It has three syllables (Men-tor-ing), with the stress on "Men". Mentoring is the act of guiding and supporting someone, typically a less experienced individual, to develop skills, knowledge, and professional growth. It involves regular interaction, feedback, and goal-oriented advice to foster learning and career advancement. The term emphasizes a relationship where experience and insight are shared to help the mentee thrive.
nounMentoring is the act of guiding and supporting someone, typically a less experienced individual, to develop skills, knowledge, and professional growth. It involves regular interaction, feedback, and goal-oriented advice to foster learning and career advancement. The term emphasizes a relationship where experience and insight are shared to help the mentee thrive.
"She began mentoring a cohort of junior analysts to build their data storytelling skills."
"The university program pairs students with mentors for career development."
"In the startup, senior engineers mentor new hires through hands-on pairing sessions."
Mentoring is pronounced /ˈmɛn.tɔː.rɪŋ/ in US English, with primary stress on the first syllable. In UK English, it’s /ˈmen.tər.ɪŋ/, with a quicker, less pronounced second syllable and a non-rhotic r. In Australian English, you’ll hear /ˈmen.tə.rɪŋ/ with a reduced vowel in the second syllable and a short, crisp final -ing. Focus on a clear first syllable, a light /t/ between syllables, and a short, unstressed final -ing.
Common errors include: 1) Misplacing the stress, saying men-TOR-ing or men-tor-ING instead of MEN-tor-ing. 2) Slurring the /t/ into the /n/ making /ˈmɛn.tən.rɪŋ/; keep a crisp /t/ sound between syllables. 3) Reducing the second syllable too much, sounding like /ˈmɛn.tɔː.rɪŋ/ with a heavy, unclear middle. Correct by isolating each syllable: MEN - TOR - ING, tap- or stop-consonant between them, and use a light, clear /t/.
US: /ˈmɛn.tɔːr.ɪŋ/ with rhotic r and a longer second syllable. UK: /ˈmen.tər.ɪŋ/ with non-rhotic r and a shorter, schwa-like middle vowel. AU: /ˈmen.tə.rɪŋ/ with a schwa in the middle and a shorter, clipped final -ing. All share the same basic structure, but vowel quality, rhoticity, and syllable length vary subtly; the middle vowel often reduces to schwa in UK/AU.
Three key challenges: 1) The cluster transition between /n/ and /t/ can blur if you don’t separate syllables; keep a light contact to avoid an /nt/ blend. 2) The mid vowel quality varies: /tɔː/ in US can feel like a long vowel, while UK/AU middle vowels reduce, making it tricky to hear the boundary. 3) Final -ing blends quickly; practice stopping after the -r- before the -ing to keep the gerund form clear.
In rapid speech, English often reduces vowels in unstressed syllables; however, in mentoring the middle syllable typically retains a distinct /ə/ (US: /ˈmɛn.tɔːr.ɪŋ/ can shift to a lighter /ˈmɛn.tər.ɪŋ/). The key is keeping the /t/ and /r/ sequences clear and ensuring the -ing ending remains audible. Practicing with slow-to-fast tempo helps you maintain the middle vowel while speeding up.
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Mentoring comes from the noun mentor, borrowed from Greek myth. In The Odyssey, Mentor is the trusted advisor to Telemachus. The use of mentor as a person who provides guidance began in the 18th century in English literature and educational contexts, but the broader sense of mentorship—an ongoing, structured guidance relationship—developed through the 20th century with the rise of professional development and formal mentoring programs. The root word mentor derives from Greek mentōr, a guide, counselor, or guardian; this lineage reflects the traditional role of a trusted elder or adviser. The verb form mentored and the present participle mentoring emerged as common usage in the late 19th to 20th centuries, paralleling organizational training language. Today, mentoring connotes a reciprocal, growth-focused relationship that emphasizes skill-building, career advice, and personal development, often within institutions (schools, corporations) but also in informal networks. First known uses appear in English texts referencing guidance and pedagogy, with the semantic shift toward a formal relational model accelerating in professional contexts after World War II and into the tech and corporate sectors of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Mentoring" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Mentoring"
-ing sounds
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