Syllable

/ˈsɪl.ə.bəl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A unit of pronunciation having one vowel sound, with or without surrounding consonants, forming a part of a word.

The word 'banana' has three syllables: ba-na-na.

A single utterance or a short segment of speech that can be exclaimed or applauded.

Each syllable of the poem adds rhythm and flow to its meaning.

The smallest unit of sound in a word, generally containing a vowel and may include consonants.

In the word 'cat,' there is only one syllable.

In phonetics, a syllable is a phonological unit made up of a nucleus, commonly a vowel, and optionally pre-nuclear and post-nuclear consonants.

Syllables are identified in speech by their vowel sounds, which can vary in length.

In poetry, a syllable can refer to the number of beats in a line of verse.

The meter of the poem is determined by the number of syllables in each line.

From Middle English 'syllable', from Old French 'syllabe', from Latin 'syllaba', from Greek 'syllabē', meaning 'a taking together'.

syllable count

The total number of syllables in a word or phrase.

polysyllabic

A word that has multiple syllables.

monosyllable

A word that consists of only one syllable.

diphthong

A complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel and glides into another within the same syllable.

consonant

A speech sound that is not a vowel, typically occurring at the beginning or end of a syllable.

Slang for word segments, often used in poetry.

That lyric has a nice flow, each syllable fits perfectly.

Referring to something being very simple or straightforward, as in 'It's just one syllable.'

I need that idea to be one syllable, something easy to grasp.