Syllable
noun
A part of a word with one vowel sound.
The word 'apple' has two syllables - 'ap' and 'ple'.
Often appears as...
- 'count the syllables'
- 'split the word into syllables'
noun
A unit of pronunciation.
'Mi-do-re-mi' are the first four syllables of the sol-fa scale.
Often appears as...
- 'sing the syllables'
- 'each note is a syllable'
Usage tips
Music
noun
The beat or rhythm of poetry or language.
In the English sonnet, each line is made of ten syllables.
Often appears as...
- 'syllables in verse'
- 'count the syllables in a line'
Usage tips
Literary
noun
A part of a word with one vowel sound.
The word 'apple' has two syllables - 'ap' and 'ple'.
Often appears as...
- 'count the syllables'
- 'split the word into syllables'
noun
A unit of pronunciation.
'Mi-do-re-mi' are the first four syllables of the sol-fa scale.
Often appears as...
- 'sing the syllables'
- 'each note is a syllable'
Usage tips
Music
noun
The beat or rhythm of poetry or language.
In the English sonnet, each line is made of ten syllables.
Often appears as...
- 'syllables in verse'
- 'count the syllables in a line'
Usage tips
Literary
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3English Only
Syllables are specific to language; 'vowel sound' varies across languages.
The word 'syllable' in English may break differently in other languages.
Pro Tip 2/3Word Stress
Some syllables are emphasized more than others in a word, changing its meaning.
In 'record', stress on the first syllable is a noun; on the second, a verb.
Pro Tip 3/3Vowel Variations
Not all vowel sounds form syllables; silent vowels are often present.
The 'e' in 'cake' is silent but helps form the syllable 'cake'.
Pro Tip 1/3English Only
Syllables are specific to language; 'vowel sound' varies across languages.
The word 'syllable' in English may break differently in other languages.
Pro Tip 2/3Word Stress
Some syllables are emphasized more than others in a word, changing its meaning.
In 'record', stress on the first syllable is a noun; on the second, a verb.
Pro Tip 3/3Vowel Variations
Not all vowel sounds form syllables; silent vowels are often present.
The 'e' in 'cake' is silent but helps form the syllable 'cake'.
Pro Tip 1/3English Only
Syllables are specific to language; 'vowel sound' varies across languages.
The word 'syllable' in English may break differently in other languages.
Pro Tip 2/3Word Stress
Some syllables are emphasized more than others in a word, changing its meaning.
In 'record', stress on the first syllable is a noun; on the second, a verb.
Pro Tip 3/3Vowel Variations
Not all vowel sounds form syllables; silent vowels are often present.
The 'e' in 'cake' is silent but helps form the syllable 'cake'.
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Video examples
Wade Davis: Cultures at...
to have no way to pass on the wisdom of the ancestors or anticipate the promise of the children? And yet, that dreadful fate is indeed the plight of somebody somewhere on Earth roughly every two weeks, because every two weeks, some elder dies and carries with him into the grave the last syllables of an ancient tongue.
Video examples
How visionary leaders...
distinguishing factor we found about how visionaries talk is that they're not highly complex or theoretical in fact the world's top visionaries communicate 20% more clearly than the average communicator how do you measure clarity it's fewer syllables per word it's fewer
Video examples
The journey across the...
but here I am one solution was to rehearse a machine gun delivery in which every syllable of a second will have its importance and hope the audience will be able to follow me what I no no no no now
Video examples
Life is messy. Embrace...
was until I got dropped kicked by a word with more syllables in the back of a package of hostess cupcakes membra no proliferative glomerulonephritis that's a mouthful or a lungful for my sister
Video examples
Why Shakespeare loved...
One of the most important things in Shakespeare's language is his use of stress. Not that kind of stress, but the way we emphasize certain syllables in words more than others.
Video examples
What makes a poem … a...
with just three lines of five, seven, and five syllables. The waters of poetry run wide and deep. Poetry has evolved over time, and perhaps now more than ever,
Video examples
Raspyni Brothers:...
Where, Barry? Where? Tell us, Barry. eagerly awaits your next syllable. What will it be? What gem of knowledge? What pearl of wisdom?
Video examples
The Gibberish Game PIPE...
take a look at these one syllable words it may look like nonsense but if you say the words out loud over and over faster and faster
Video examples
How to use a paper towel...
like the best it's the biggest number with one syllable trifle fold dry cuts itself fold the fold is important because it allows
Video examples
John Delaney: Wiring an...
Basho was a brilliant man. He said more with less than any human that I have ever read or talked to. Basho, in 17 syllables,
Video examples
Wade Davis: Cultures at...
to have no way to pass on the wisdom of the ancestors or anticipate the promise of the children? And yet, that dreadful fate is indeed the plight of somebody somewhere on Earth roughly every two weeks, because every two weeks, some elder dies and carries with him into the grave the last syllables of an ancient tongue.
Video examples
How visionary leaders...
distinguishing factor we found about how visionaries talk is that they're not highly complex or theoretical in fact the world's top visionaries communicate 20% more clearly than the average communicator how do you measure clarity it's fewer syllables per word it's fewer
Video examples
The journey across the...
but here I am one solution was to rehearse a machine gun delivery in which every syllable of a second will have its importance and hope the audience will be able to follow me what I no no no no now
Video examples
Life is messy. Embrace...
was until I got dropped kicked by a word with more syllables in the back of a package of hostess cupcakes membra no proliferative glomerulonephritis that's a mouthful or a lungful for my sister
Video examples
Why Shakespeare loved...
One of the most important things in Shakespeare's language is his use of stress. Not that kind of stress, but the way we emphasize certain syllables in words more than others.
Video examples
What makes a poem … a...
with just three lines of five, seven, and five syllables. The waters of poetry run wide and deep. Poetry has evolved over time, and perhaps now more than ever,
Video examples
Raspyni Brothers:...
Where, Barry? Where? Tell us, Barry. eagerly awaits your next syllable. What will it be? What gem of knowledge? What pearl of wisdom?
Video examples
The Gibberish Game PIPE...
take a look at these one syllable words it may look like nonsense but if you say the words out loud over and over faster and faster
Video examples
How to use a paper towel...
like the best it's the biggest number with one syllable trifle fold dry cuts itself fold the fold is important because it allows
Video examples
John Delaney: Wiring an...
Basho was a brilliant man. He said more with less than any human that I have ever read or talked to. Basho, in 17 syllables,
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Billy Connolly
Scottish Comedian
I loathe hecklers. I haven't got a good syllable to say. When you come out of the club circuit and into the concert hall, they should be gone. There's an element of manners that should tell you that the ticket is dear and it's a different venue.
Quote examples
Jeremih
American Musician
It messes me up sometimes when I go on stage and people say my name wrong. Say my name wrong with all these different syllables. I've heard everything. My name is easy as 1-2-3. Jer-eh-mih, syllable-wise.
Quote examples
K. Flay
American Musician
A friend of mine encouraged me to try rapping, so I started experimenting with it, writing verses, seeing if I could fit an extra word or syllable into each line without tripping myself up.
Quote examples
Sinead O'Connor
Irish Musician
I'm on fire when I'm singing, I'm completely in character, I use my sense memories, and every syllable of it is meant. It's a very special thing.
Quote examples
Kate Smith
American Musician
It is important that the audience should understand every syllable of every word, for only then can they grasp the meaning of the song.
Quote examples
Kevin Spacey
American Actor
I don't categorize characters into one syllable. These are fully-rounded characters that I don't judge; I just play them.
Quote examples
Tahar Ben Jelloun
French Poet
This universe can very well be expressed in words and syllables which are not those of one's mother tongue.
Quote examples
Victor Hugo
French Author
To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.
Quote examples
Michael Shanks
Canadian Actor
With network shows, writers can be so protective of every syllable.
Quote examples
George Bernard Shaw
Irish Playwright
Syllables govern the world.
Quote examples
Billy Connolly
Scottish Comedian
I loathe hecklers. I haven't got a good syllable to say. When you come out of the club circuit and into the concert hall, they should be gone. There's an element of manners that should tell you that the ticket is dear and it's a different venue.
Quote examples
Jeremih
American Musician
It messes me up sometimes when I go on stage and people say my name wrong. Say my name wrong with all these different syllables. I've heard everything. My name is easy as 1-2-3. Jer-eh-mih, syllable-wise.
Quote examples
K. Flay
American Musician
A friend of mine encouraged me to try rapping, so I started experimenting with it, writing verses, seeing if I could fit an extra word or syllable into each line without tripping myself up.
Quote examples
Sinead O'Connor
Irish Musician
I'm on fire when I'm singing, I'm completely in character, I use my sense memories, and every syllable of it is meant. It's a very special thing.
Quote examples
Kate Smith
American Musician
It is important that the audience should understand every syllable of every word, for only then can they grasp the meaning of the song.
Quote examples
Kevin Spacey
American Actor
I don't categorize characters into one syllable. These are fully-rounded characters that I don't judge; I just play them.
Quote examples
Tahar Ben Jelloun
French Poet
This universe can very well be expressed in words and syllables which are not those of one's mother tongue.
Quote examples
Victor Hugo
French Author
To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.
Quote examples
Michael Shanks
Canadian Actor
With network shows, writers can be so protective of every syllable.
Quote examples
George Bernard Shaw
Irish Playwright
Syllables govern the world.
Example 1 of 10
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