ree-pruh-DOO-sing
/ˌɹipɹəˈdusɪŋ/
reproducing is pronounced ree-pruh-DOO-sing (/ˌɹipɹəˈdusɪŋ/). Reproducing is the verb form meaning producing a copy or replica of something, or in biology, generating offspring. It also refers to the act of repeating or duplicating an action or result. The word combines re- (again) with produce, and the present participle form -ing indicates ongoing or habitual action.
Reproducing is the verb form meaning producing a copy or replica of something, or in biology, generating offspring. It also refers to the act of repeating or duplicating an action or result. The word combines re- (again) with produce, and the present participle form -ing indicates ongoing or habitual action.
- Ensure the stress lands on the syllable containing -ducing (re-pro-DU-cing) rather than the first syllable; otherwise it sounds off to native ears. - Do not collapse the /juː/ into a pure /uː/ or /ɪ/; keep the diphthong so the word doesn’t lose its y-glide, especially in fast speech. - Avoid running the -ing together with previous consonants; separate the -ɪŋ to retain clear final consonant. - In US, UK, AU slips can occur in the -ducing portion; rehearsal with minimal pairs can help you lock the glide and stress.
"The lab was reproducing identical specimens to ensure accuracy."
"Some plants reproduce asexually, while others rely on pollinators."
"Scientists are reproducing the experiment to verify the results."
Break it as re-pro-duc-ing with primary stress on the second-to-last syllable: /rɪˈprɒd.juː.sɪŋ/ (US) or /rɪˈprəʊ.djuː.sɪŋ/ (UK) depending on variant. Focus on the middle 'ducing' portion where /djuː/ or /dʒuː/ begins the final cluster. In fast speech you may hear /rɪˈprɒdʒuː.sɪŋ/ for some speakers; keep the /dʒ/ or /tʃ/ rival sounds distinct from the preceding /d/ and following /s/. Audio reference: consult pronunciation resources for the exact amplitude and diphthong transitions.
Common errors: 1) Moving the stress to the first syllable (re-PRO-ducing). 2) Slurring the /dʒ/ into /d/ or /t/ in -ducing, leading to /duːsɪŋ/ instead of /djuː/sɪŋ. 3) Reducing the /juː/ to a simple /uː/ or /ju/ vowel too early, producing /djuː-sɪŋ/ inconsistently. Correction: clearly articulate the secondary stress on the syllable containing -ducing, keep the /juː/ as a distinct glide from /d/, and separate the -ing with a crisp /ɪŋ/.
US: /rɪˈprɒd.juː.sɪŋ/ with rhotic /r/. UK: /rɪˈprəʊ.djuː.sɪŋ/; non-rhotic accents may reduce r after vowels. AU: /rɪˈprəː.djuː.sɪŋ/ with broader /əː/ in the first reduced vowel and a clear /dʒ/ or /djuː/ sequence depending on speaker. The key differences are vowel quality of the first und schwa-like second syllable, and the treatment of the 're' starting cluster; rhoticity affects the initial /r/ more in US; UK often has a more centralized vowel in the second syllable.
The difficulty centers on the three-part sequence re- /ɪ/ to -ducing: the /juː/ glide following /d/ and the final -ing cluster; the transition from /d/ to /juː/ can be challenging, causing assimilation or misplacement of stress. Additionally, the unstressed first syllable often reduces to a schwa, which can blur the word’s rhythm in rapid speech. Focus on keeping the /d/ and /juː/ distinct and maintain the secondary stress on the -ducing syllable.
Yes: the conjunction of re- + producing can lead to a subtle boundary between /rɪ/ and /duː/ in some speakers. The /juː/ vowel in -ducing often shifts toward a /uː/ or /juː/ depending on accent. The final -ing forms a voiced nasal /sɪŋ/ with a velar-tongue position for -ŋ. Understanding the glide following /d/ and maintaining a clean /ɪŋ/ can differentiate careful articulation from casual speech.
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US: emphasize rhotic /r/ at start and keep /duː/ as a clear member of -ducing; UK: lighter /r/; AU: more centralized schwa in the first syllable; all share the /juː/ glide; IPA anchors _rɪˈprəʊ.djuː.sɪŋ_ (UK) vs _rɪˈprɒd.juː.sɪŋ_ (US) and _rɪˈpɒ.dʒuː.sɪŋ_ variations; focus on keeping /d/ and /j/ distinct; practice with IPA overlays.
The verb reproduce traces to Latin reproducere, from re- (again) + producere (to bring forth, produce). The Latin root producere is composed of pro- (forward, forth) + ducere (to lead, bring). In Old French, these forms evolved into reproduire, which entered English by the 14th century with senses tied to producing again or copying previously made things. By the 16th–17th centuries, reproduce took on broader scientific contexts (biology, copying, replication) as the era of print, reproduction rights, and empirical replication expanded. The progressive form reproducing appeared as part of English verb tenses, signifying ongoing action in contexts like biology or replication of experiments. Across domains, the core meaning—making an exact or functional copy—remains central, with nuance shifting between biological reproduction, mechanical copying, and the replication of results in science or information.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "reproducing" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "reproducing" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "reproducing"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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