2 syllables: Stalk, ing. Stress on Stalk.
STAW-king
/ˈstɔkɪŋ/
Stalking is pronounced STAW-king (/ˈstɔkɪŋ/). It has two syllables (Stalk-ing), with the stress on "Stalk". Stalking, as a noun, refers to repeatedly following or pursuing someone, often in a concerning or threatening manner. It can denote the act itself or the broader pattern of persistent surveillance and contact. The term carries legal and social implications, especially regarding safety and privacy. In everyday contexts, it may describe obsessive behavior or the act of tracking for investigative purposes.
nounStalking, as a noun, refers to repeatedly following or pursuing someone, often in a concerning or threatening manner. It can denote the act itself or the broader pattern of persistent surveillance and contact. The term carries legal and social implications, especially regarding safety and privacy. In everyday contexts, it may describe obsessive behavior or the act of tracking for investigative purposes.
- Misplacing stress: You might say stALKing with secondary stress on the second syllable; fix by keeping primary stress on the first syllable: STAL-king. - Eliding the middle consonant: Some learners drop the /k/ or the /l/ turning /stɔkɪŋ/ into /stɔːɪŋ/; keep a clear /k/ release before the /ɪŋ/. - Final -ing pronunciation: Avoid turning it into a quick /ɪŋ/, keep a crisp alveolar stop before the velar nasal. - Vowel quality: Don’t reduce the /ɔ/ to /ə/; hold mid-back rounded vowel as in “thought.” - Lip/tongue tension: Ensure lips aren’t tensed into /t/; relax jaw around the /ɔ/ to avoid a clipped sound. Practice keeping the /st/ onset tight, then the bold /ɔ/ and the crisp /k/ before /ɪŋ/.
"The police were concerned about the man’s stalking behavior and issued a restraining order."
"Celebrity fans sometimes engage in stalking, which can create dangerous situations."
"Several states have specific laws addressing stalking and related harassment."
Stalking is pronounced ˈstɔː.kɪŋ in US and UK; AU rhymes similarly with an open o as in ˈstɔː.kɪŋ. The first syllable carries primary stress. Your mouth starts with a mid-back rounded vowel for the stressed /ɔ/, followed by a light /k/ release and the final /ɪŋ/ with a short, relaxed vowel and velar nasal. Think: STOH-king with the o as in 'lot' (US) or 'lot' with rounded lip shape in non-rhotic accents. IPA: US /ˈstɔkɪŋ/; UK /ˈstɒkɪŋ/; AU /ˈstɔːkɪŋ/.”,
Common errors include misplacing the primary stress (unstressed second syllable), pronouncing the second syllable as /sæk/ instead of /kɪŋ/, and running the final /ŋ/ too softly or as an /n/. To correct: keep strong initial stress, ensure the middle syllable uses a clear /k/ before /ɪ/, and finish with a velar nasal /ŋ/ by lightly closing the back of the tongue against the soft palate. Emphasize the orderly sequence: /ˈstɔk/ + /ɪŋ/.
In US English, the vowel in the first syllable is a tense /ɔ/ as in 'thought,' with rhoticity not altering the consonants. In UK English, /ɒ/ or /ɔː/ shows a shorter, more open quality depending on regional variation, with non-rhotic influence in some accents. Australian English typically uses /ɔː/ or /ɒ/ variably and tends to be closer to US /ɔ/ in some speakers, but can be vowel-lifted due to Australian Vowel Shift. Overall: US often sounds more rounded and rhotic; UK can be shorter, non-rhotic; AU varies but leans toward broader, elongated vowels.”,
The challenge lies in the quick transition from /ɔ/ to /k/ and the final /ŋ/ cluster, which requires precise timing of tongue dorsum movement and velar nasal closure. For non-native speakers, decreasing vowel length before /k/ and maintaining a crisp /k/ release can be tricky, as well as producing a clean velar nasal without turning it into /ŋ/ combined with a following alveolar release. Focus on maintaining syllabic integrity: /ˈstɔk/ + /ɪŋ/ with a strong onset and a distinct final nasal.
In stalking, the 'l' is pronounced, so you say /ˈstɒl.kɪŋ/ or /ˈstɔː.kɪŋ/ depending on accent. The /l/ occurs after the initial /st/ cluster before the /ɔ/ or /ɒ/ vowel. Some learners may blur the /l/ leading to /ˈstɒkɪŋ/; ensure the tongue lightly contacts the alveolar ridge for a clear /l/ while avoiding a heavy, dark /l/ with extra vowel length. Remember: /st/ + /ɔː/ or /ɒ/ + /l/ + /k/ + /ɪŋ/.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Stalking"!
- US: Rhotic accent; pronounce the final /ɪŋ/ with a light /ɪ/ and a clear velar nasal; the /ɔ/ is rounded, roughly like the vowel in “thought.” - UK: Tends to be shorter, /ɒ/ or /ɔː/ depending on region; avoid over-lengthening the vowel; keep non-rhotic flow. - AU: Variable vowel quality; often closer to US /ɔ/ in broad accents, with less rhotic influence; maintain the /l/ clarity and avoid blending /l/ into a dark alveolar. - Across all: keep the /st/ cluster tight, ensure the /k/ is released crisply, and finish with a clean /ŋ/. IPA references: US /ˈstɔkɪŋ/, UK /ˈstɒkɪŋ/, AU /ˈstɔːkɪŋ/.
Stalking derives from the verb stalk, which originates from Middle English stalken, likely related to Old English stelcan ‘to creep, steal, or creep stealthily,’ though precise etymology is debated. The noun form stalking is attested in the English language since the 16th century, initially in hunting contexts referring to the method of pursuing game by stealth. By the 19th and 20th centuries, the term broadened to human behavior, particularly persistent following or surveillance. The modern sense—repeated, threatening pursuit or monitoring—emerged in legal and media discourse as technology enabled more persistent tracking. The word thus evolved from a literal, stealth-based act to a social/psychological phenomenon associated with safety and stalking laws. First known use in print aligns with discussions of hunting and hiding, later transitioning to describe human behavior in crime reports and police procedures. In contemporary usage, stalking often carries a strong connotation of invasion of privacy, fear, and intimidation, and is a focal point of legal definitions and protective statutes in many jurisdictions.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Stalking" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Stalking" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Stalking" 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 "Stalking"
-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.
