spring
/spɹɪŋ/
spring is pronounced spring (/spɹɪŋ/). Spring refers to the season between winter and summer, a mechanical coil used for energy storage and release, or a verb meaning to move upward or forward abruptly. In all senses, it conveys renewal, flexibility, and sudden motion. The core idea centers on upward motion and rebound, whether describing weather, objects, or actions.
Spring refers to the season between winter and summer, a mechanical coil used for energy storage and release, or a verb meaning to move upward or forward abruptly. In all senses, it conveys renewal, flexibility, and sudden motion. The core idea centers on upward motion and rebound, whether describing weather, objects, or actions.
- Confusing /ɪ/ with a longer or more centralized vowel; common fix: practice with minimal pairs like /sprɪŋ/ vs /spræŋ/ and hold the short /ɪ/ for a crisp vowel. - Slurring the final /ŋ/ into a nasalized vowel or releasing into /g/; corrective drill: hold the velar nasal without voice release, keep the tongue high at the soft palate for /ŋ/. - Dropping the /r/ or non-native tendency to add an extra vowel before /ŋ/; fix by keeping the onset tight and finishing with the /ŋ/.
"The air smells fresh in spring after the rain."
"The metal spring snapped back to its original shape."
"Kids love springing off the trampoline with a cheer."
Pronounce it as /sprɪŋ/. Start with /s/ then /p/ in a tight cluster, add the short /ɪ/ vowel as in hink, and finish with the velar nasal /ŋ/ (the 'ng' sound). Stress is on the word as a whole; there is no secondary stress. Tip: keep the tongue close to the alveolar ridge for the /spr/ cluster and avoid an elongated vowel. You can hear this exact pronunciation in standard dictionaries or pronunciation apps.
Two frequent errors are turning /spr/ into a simpler /sp/ or adding an extra vowel before /ɪ/. Also, some speakers lengthen the /ɪ/ or substitute /ɛ/ as in 'spreing'. Correction: keep the /spr/ cluster tight without a vowel between s and p, use the short /ɪ/ as in 'sit', and end with the clear /ŋ/. Practice with minimal pairs like /sprɪŋ/ vs /spɪŋ/ and vary the position of your tongue to maintain a crisp onset.
In US, UK, and AU, /sprɪŋ/ remains recognizable, but rhoticity can subtly affect the following vowels in connected speech. The /r/ is not present in this word, so differences are mainly in vowel quality and connected speech. UK speakers may slightly reduce the vowel more in rapid speech, AU speakers often keep the vowel compact with less vowel reduction. Overall, the core /sprɪŋ/ remains stable, but you’ll notice minor float in vowel height and timing.
The cluster /spr/ is demanding and can cause epenthesis or a looser /sp/ if your tongue isn’t strong enough. The short /ɪ/ must be crisp and not reduced to a schwa in careful speech. Finally, the final /ŋ/ requires the tongue to touch the velum without trailing air. If you’re not precise, listeners may hear /spiŋ/ or /sprɪŋg/. Focus on a tight onset, short lax vowel, and clean velar nasal.
A useful tip is to practice saying /sprɪŋ/ in a fast, short, burst-like motion: start with a quick /s/, then a quick /p/, immediately followed by the short /ɪ/ and the velar nasal /ŋ/. Conscious timing helps prevent the vowel from dragging. In connected speech, practice blending: 'springtime' /ˈsprɪŋtaɪm/ and 'springing' /ˈsprɪŋɪŋ/ to maintain consistency.
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US: rhotic voice present in some surrounding words but not in this word; focus on crisp /spr/ cluster. UK: slightly stronger syllable-timed rhythm; ensure the /ɪ/ remains short and bright. AU: often flatter vowel height; maintain the short /ɪ/ and hard /ŋ/ for clarity. Use IPA references and practice in context.
Spring originated in Old English as sprung (the pure past tense) and was closely related to the verb springan, meaning to leap or jump. The noun spring meaning a coil is from Old English spring, a source of Proto-Germanic *springaną, denoting a jump or leap, which in turn extends to the sense of a coiled object that stores and releases energy. Over time, the metaphorical sense of “springing forth” or “arising suddenly” broadened to denote the season when new growth appears, a fundamental shift from the previous term’s mechanical imagery to a natural cycle. By Middle English, both coil and season senses were well established, and the word migrated into broader usage in many Germanic and European languages. The dual imagery of rapid motion and rebound persists in modern usage, with the season evoking renewal and resilience alongside the device’s physical property. First known uses appear in Old English poetry and legal texts where spring-like springs and fast movements were common motifs; later, literary works in the 14th–16th centuries solidified the seasonal sense as a standard term in calendars and horticultural contexts.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "spring" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "spring" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "spring" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "spring"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
