hectoring
adjective, noun, verb
hectoring is spelled H-E-C-T-O-R-I-N-G: 9 letters and 3 syllables. It appears about once in every 16 million words in written English, the 119,826th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As an adjective, hectoring means “That hectors; intimidating or domineering” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in hectoring?
| Letters | 9: H-E-C-T-O-R-I-N-G |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 3 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | about once in every 16 million words; the 119,826th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is hectoring?
Hectoring appears about once in every 16 million words in written English, the 119,826th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce hectoring?
- US
Hectoring has 3 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-us-hectoring.oga, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of hectoring
- more hectoring comparative
- most hectoring superlative
- hectorings plural
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does hectoring mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
adjective
- 1
That hectors; intimidating or domineering.
noun
- 1
The act of one who hectors, or acts blusteringly.
verb
- 1
present participle and gerund of hector
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Where does hectoring come from?
From hector + -ing.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).