The word looking is divided into 2 syllables: look·ing. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.
The phonetic transcription of looking:
Note: Audio requires JavaScript enabled
From Middle English lokynge, from earlier lokinde, lokende, from Old English lōciende, present participle of Old English lōcian (“to look”), equivalent to look + -ing. From Middle English lokynge, lokinge, from Old English lōcung (attested in Old English þurhlōcung), equivalent to look + -ing.
Understanding how to break down looking into syllables helps with:
Compare looking with related words to understand syllable patterns:
| Word | Syllables | Division |
|---|---|---|
| looking | 2 | look·ing |
| leasing | 2 | leas-ing |
| laconic | 3 | la-co-nic |
| lashing | 2 | lash-ing |
| leaching | 2 | leach-ing |
Explore syllable divisions of words related to looking:
looking has 2 syllables: look·ing. The word is divided into 2 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.
The stress is on the first syllable: look. This means you emphasize the "look" part when pronouncing looking.
looking is pronounced as /ˈlʊkɪŋ/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: look·ing.
Breaking looking into syllables helps with spelling: look·ing. By pronouncing each syllable separately, you can identify the letters more easily and avoid common spelling mistakes.
Learning syllable division helps with correct pronunciation, improved spelling, better reading fluency, and is useful for poetry and lyric writing where syllable counting matters. It's especially helpful for language learners.