TRUHS-ting
/ˈtɹʌstɪŋ/
trusting is pronounced TRUHS-ting (/ˈtɹʌstɪŋ/). Trusting is the act of placing confidence in someone or something, often with an expectation of reliability. In everyday use it can describe beliefs, relationships, or actions that presume honesty and dependability. The word emphasizes ongoing faith or reliance, rather than a single moment of belief, and frequently functions as an adjective or verb form in context. 0.
Trusting is the act of placing confidence in someone or something, often with an expectation of reliability. In everyday use it can describe beliefs, relationships, or actions that presume honesty and dependability. The word emphasizes ongoing faith or reliance, rather than a single moment of belief, and frequently functions as an adjective or verb form in context. 0
"Her trusting nature makes her a strong friend."
"She was trusting enough to share the full story."
"The team’s trusting rapport helped them overcome setbacks."
Pronounce as two syllables: /ˈtrʌs.tɪŋ/. The primary stress is on the first syllable, with a quick, light ending on -ing. The vowel in the first syllable is a short, lax /ʌ/ as in 'strut.' The final -ing is reduced to a short /ɪŋ/ sound. In connected speech, you may hear the /t/ flapped or softened before a following consonant, but in careful speech maintain /t/ clearly for clarity in this word. Audio reference: listen for the clear /ˈtrʌs/ onset followed by /tɪŋ/.
Common errors: (1) Slurring the /t/ making it a soft d-like sound; (2) Mispronouncing the /ʌ/ as a schwa; (3) Dropping the final -ing or turning it into /ən/ in rapid speech. Correction: keep a crisp alveolar /t/ after /s/ (so /ˈtrʌs/), use a clear /ɪ/ for the -ing instead of /ə/, and finish with a clean velar nasal /ŋ/. Practice with the minimal pair 'trusting' vs 'trussing' to train the vowel position and final nasal.
In US, UK, and AU, the initial /ˈtrʌs/ is broadly similar, but rhoticity matters: US and AU accents keep /r/ non- or fully pronounced after certain vowels? In 'trust,' the /r/ is not present in non-rhotic varieties; however, 'trusting' starts with /tr/ cluster where /r/ influences the preceding vowel in some dialects. UK typically non-rhotic, so /ˈtrʌs.tɪŋ/ without linking /r/. US/AU are rhotic, but the /r/ is not before /ʌ/. The main differences appear in flapping in US speech and the vowel quality of /ʌ/ versus /ɒ/ in some UK dialects, though 'trusting' keeps /ʌ/ in most standard varieties.
The challenge lies in the consonant cluster /str/ at the start together with a short /ʌ/ vowel and a final /ɪŋ/. Many learners misplace the tongue for /r/ or reduce /ʌ/ to a schwa, leading to 'trusting' or 'trus-ting' mispronunciations. Also, the final /ɪŋ/ can be reduced or swallowed in casual speech. Focus on a crisp /t/ after /s/ to preserve the /str/ blend, and maintain the short /ɪ/ before the velar nasal /ŋ/ for a natural, precise ending.
A unique aspect is the two-consonant onset /tr/ followed by /ʌ/. Many learners insert an extra vowel or misplace stress across the two-syllable boundary. Keep the primary stress on the first syllable /ˈtrʌs/ and make sure the syllable boundary is clearly delineated: /ˈtrʌs.tɪŋ/. Practicing with a short pause between syllables in slow speech can help maintain natural rhythm in faster speech.
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Trusting derives from the noun trust, which comes from the Old French tendre, meaning to believe or entrust. The English term trust emerged in Middle English (c. 12th–14th centuries) from Anglo-French truste, trust, and Old Norse traustr, meaning firm or secure. The suffix -ing attaches to verbs to form gerunds or participles, indicating ongoing action or state; in this case, the verb trusting evolves to serve as an adjective (trusting person) and a present participle (trusting someone). Over time, “trust” broadened beyond legal or formal assurance to include relational confidence, reliance on others’ consistency, and the implicit assumption that the trusted party will act in good faith. Early textual appearances emphasize familial or feudal bonds of loyalty, gradually expanding to modern psychological and social contexts of trust in institutions, technology, and personal relationships. The word’s sense shifted from a static state of belief to a dynamic process of ongoing assurance and risk, mirroring how trust develops and endures through repeated interaction.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "trusting" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "trusting" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "trusting"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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