/ˈstʌnɪŋ/
stunning is pronounced /ˈstʌnɪŋ/. Stunning describes something strikingly impressive or beautiful to the point of causing astonishment. It acts as a descriptive modifier or noun in informal use (e.g., "a stunning inlay"). As an adjective, it conveys high visual or emotional impact and can function as part of evaluative phrases in both formal and casual contexts.
Say it backStunning describes something strikingly impressive or beautiful to the point of causing astonishment. It acts as a descriptive modifier or noun in informal use (e.g., "a stunning inlay"). As an adjective, it conveys high visual or emotional impact and can function as part of evaluative phrases in both formal and casual contexts.
"The sunset was absolutely stunning, painting the sky in pinks and gold."
"Her dress was stunning, catching everyone's eye as she walked in."
"The performance delivered a stunning display of athleticism and skill."
Say /ˈstənɪŋ/ in US and AU, or /ˈstʌnɪŋ/ in UK. Start with a strong syllable on ST, then a quick, relaxed schwa or near-schwa in the second syllable, followed by -ning. The mouth opens for ST, the tongue lowers slightly for the schwa, and the final -ning is a nasal nasalized vowel plus 'ng' closure. Relative stress is on the first syllable. Audio reference: you can compare with native pronunciation on Forvo or YouGlish for real-speech examples.
Two frequent errors are misplacing the stress (stun-ning instead of STUN-ning) and mispronouncing the second syllable vowel (sounding like /ɪ/ instead of a reduced schwa /ə/). Also, some speakers insert an extra vowel between t and n, producing /ˈstənɪŋ/ with a clean schwa; ensure there isn’t an intrusive vowel. Focus on keeping the second syllable short and unstressed, and keep the final /-ŋ/ clear and nasalized.
In US and AU, the first syllable often uses a near-schwa /ə/ with a darker vowel in some regions, yielding /ˈstənɪŋ/. In many UK varieties, the first syllable may be a slightly more rounded /ʌ/ as in /ˈstʌnɪŋ/. The rhoticity is generally present in US and AU, affecting adjacent vowels rather than the main vowel here. Overall, the key is the strong first syllable and a short, reduced second syllable; regional vowel quality nuances influence the perceived warmth or sharpness of the word.
The difficulty lies in the short, reduced second syllable after a tense initial consonant cluster. Keeping the /ˈst/ onset tight while rapidly moving to a lax, reduced /ə/ or /ʌ/ can be tricky, especially in connected speech where it blends with following sounds. The final /-ŋ/ requires nasal closure without voice break. Practicing with minimal pairs helps you tune the vowel length and the final nasal for a smooth, natural rhythm.
A unique aspect is the combination of a strong initial consonant cluster /st/ followed by a very short, reduced vowel in the second syllable. Maintaining a crisp /t/ release before the /ən/ reduces tongue tension and prevents a blend that can turn the word into a single, elongated syllable. Also, ensuring the final /ŋ/ is fully nasal without trailing voicing helps avoid a lisp or a dull stop. Practicing with controlled tempo helps you master the rhythm.
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Stunning comes from the verb stun, meaning to astonish or overwhelm with surprise or awe. The late Middle English form stunned is derived from Old French estoner ‘to stun, astound,’ which itself traces to Latin sonāre ‘to sound’ through a figurative sense of physical impact. The modern adjective stunning emerged in the 19th century as a loaning of the participial form to intensify the sense of impact—something so striking it figuratively stuns the observer. The word has since broadened beyond physical shock to emphasize beauty or excellence. As a common everyday descriptor, stunning frequently appears in journalism, advertising, and casual conversation, often strengthened by adjectives like utterly, truly, or absolutely to amplify the degree of impact.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "stunning" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "stunning" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "stunning"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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