uh-NEN-ding
/əˈnɛndɪŋ/
unending is pronounced uh-NEN-ding (/əˈnɛndɪŋ/). Unending describes something that has no end or seems to continue indefinitely; it conveys perpetual duration or endless quality. It is often used in poetic or emphatic contexts to emphasize constancy, persistence, or vastness beyond measure. The term combines uni- (“one”) with ending, implying an absence of termination.
Unending describes something that has no end or seems to continue indefinitely; it conveys perpetual duration or endless quality. It is often used in poetic or emphatic contexts to emphasize constancy, persistence, or vastness beyond measure. The term combines uni- (“one”) with ending, implying an absence of termination.
"The unending rain soaked the countryside for days."
"Her unending patience finally paid off in the end."
"They embarked on an unending journey of discovery and learning."
Pronounce as /ʌnˈendɪŋ/. The first syllable is a lax /ʌ/ like 'sun', then stress on the second syllable /ˈend/. The final -ing is /ɪŋ/. Make sure the middle /end/ is clear, with a crisp /d/ to separate it from the final /ɪŋ/. Audio reference: you can compare with 'ending' but ensure the initial /ən/ reduces to /ʌn/ before the stressed syllable.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing stress, saying un-END-ing with wrong emphasis; fix by keeping the second syllable stressed. 2) Vowel reduction in the first syllable, pronouncing /ˈʌnˌɛndɪŋ/ instead of /ʌnˈendɪŋ/; practice maintaining /ʌ/ as a clear, short vowel. 3) Slurring /d/ into the following /ɪŋ/, resulting in /ˈendɪŋ/ without a defined onset; ensure a clean /d/ stop before the nasal. Practice saying 'un-END-ing' slowly, then speed up while keeping the second syllable prominent.
In US, UK, and AU, the primary difference lies in rhoticity and vowel quality, with the /ɜː/ vs /ɪ/ in some speakers; however, for unending the core stressed syllable /ˈend/ remains stable. US may carry a slightly more rhotic vowel in surrounding words, UK often maintains non-rhoticity but this word’s middle /end/ is robust; AU typically follows General Australian vowels with a tight /ʌ/ in the first syllable and a clear /ˈendɪŋ/. Overall, the pronunciation is consistent: /ʌnˈendɪŋ/ with minor vowel length variation.
The difficulty lies in the stress shift to the second syllable and the crisp articulation of /end/ followed by /ɪŋ/. Speakers often misplace the stress on the first syllable or merge /end/ with a weak following /ɪŋ/. Also, the /ʌ/ vowel in the first syllable can be non-native for some, leading to a slightly reduced vowel. Focus on delivering a strong, clear /end/ and separating it from the final /ɪŋ/ with a subtle pause or longer release.IPA cues: /ʌnˈendɪŋ/.
The unique feature is the strong mid syllable /ˈend/ that carries the nucleus of the word; ensure that the /d/ is not flapped or omitted in rapid speech, and that the final -ing remains as a clear velar nasal /ŋ/. Some speakers may insert a schwa in the first syllable; resist it by keeping /ʌ/ and a crisp onset of the second syllable. Audio-visual cues and syllable-timed rhythm will reinforce the pattern /ʌnˈendɪŋ/.
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Unending comes from the prefix un- meaning ‘not’ or ‘the opposite of,’ attached to ending, the noun form from the verb end. The word’s earliest senses in English align with negation of termination, tracing back to Old English endan (to end, put an end to) and the adjectival formation un- + ending to describe something that does not end. Historically, the suffix -ing here marks a present participle or gerundial sense, evolving into an adjective describing continuity or persistence. By Middle English, un- commonly reinforced negation with enduring or perpetual implications, and by Early Modern English, unending began to appear in more abstract discussions of time, fate, and emotion—as in literature and sermonic language—thereby widening usage beyond literal non-termination to metaphorical infinity. The term thus inherits a sense of scale and inexhaustibility that complements poetic diction and rhetorical emphasis.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "unending" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "unending" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "unending"
-ing sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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