Learn How to Pronounce bowling

Not sure how to say a word? Try the Promova pronunciation tool for free and learn how to pronounce anything in English correctly. Discover over 100,000 words and easily learn English pronunciation online!

Find your word:

Try:

Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!

How to pronounce:

Listen to the pronunciation:

bowling

Definition:

(nou) a game in which balls are rolled at an object or group of objects with the aim of knocking them over or moving them (nou) the act of delivering a cricket ball to the batsman (nou) the playing of a game of tenpins or duckpins etc

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈbəʊlɪŋ

Examples:

The bowling greens are to the right of this shot.

Learn more about:

bowling

Related Words:

How to perfect your pronunciation of: bowling

Learn Individual Sounds

Break bowling down into individual sounds such as ˈbəʊlɪŋ. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

Copy Others

Use the tools above to find out how different people say bowling in their accents, then try to repeat after them.

Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

Say bowling in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with bowling.

Get a Native Tutor

Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.

Common mistakes of bowling pronunciation

  1. Misplacing the stress: Many learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "bow-LING" instead of the correct "BOW-ling" (ˈboʊ.lɪŋ in US, ˈbəʊ.lɪŋ in UK). Tip: Remember to emphasize the first syllable.
  2. Incorrect vowel sound: Some pronounce "bowling" with a short "o" sound, like "bowl-ing" (ˈbɔɪ.lɪŋ). This is incorrect. Tip: Use the long "o" sound as in "go" for the first syllable.
  3. Adding an extra syllable: A common mistake is saying "bow-ling" with an extra vowel sound, making it three syllables. The correct pronunciation has only two: "BOW-ling". Tip: Focus on blending the sounds smoothly into two syllables.
  4. Mispronouncing the "w": Some speakers may drop the "w" sound, pronouncing it as "bo-ling". This alters the word significantly. Tip: Ensure you pronounce the "w" clearly, as it connects the two syllables.
  5. Confusing with similar words: Learners often confuse "bowling" with "bowl" or "bow". "Bowling" (ˈboʊ.lɪŋ in US, ˈbəʊ.lɪŋ in UK) refers specifically to the sport. Tip: Pay attention to the context to distinguish between these words effectively.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "bowling" in American English?

In American English, "bowling" is pronounced as /ˈboʊ.lɪŋ/. The first syllable has primary stress, and the "ow" sounds like the "o" in "go."

Is there a difference in the pronunciation of "bowling" between American and British English?

No, "bowling" is pronounced the same in both American and British English, /ˈboʊ.lɪŋ/. The stress and vowel sounds remain consistent across both dialects.

What syllable is stressed in the word "bowling"?

In "bowling," the first syllable is stressed, pronounced as /ˈboʊ/. This means you say that part of the word louder and with more emphasis.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "bowling"?

A common mistake is mispronouncing the "ow" sound; some may say it like "bowl" instead of /boʊ/. Remember to include the "l" sound in the second syllable when saying "bowling."
Improve your pronunciation with a convenient app anywhere, anytime