[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/syllable/)

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# syllable

noun (a syllable, syllables)

«syllable» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A syllable is a part of a word that has one vowel sound; you can count syllables by clapping a word: «di-no-saur» has three syllables. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/syllable/#m1)
2. A word with one syllable, like «cat», is called a one-syllable word or monosyllable. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/syllable/#m2)
3. Not a syllable means not a single word at all. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/syllable/#m3)

### In the lessons

In English and phonics lessons pupils clap and count syllables to help with reading and spelling long words. In poetry lessons syllables matter for rhythm: a haiku has three lines of five, seven and five syllables. Phrases: «stressed syllable» (the one said strongest: «TA-ble»), «not one syllable» (not a single word: «he didn't say a syllable»).

### Examples

- «Elephant» has three syllables: el-e-phant. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/syllable/#x1)
- Clap the syllables in your name. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/syllable/#x2)
- «Dog» has one syllable. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/syllable/#x3)
- A haiku has five syllables in the first line. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/syllable/#x4)
- In «banana», the middle syllable is stressed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/syllable/#x5)
- Break long words into syllables to spell them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/syllable/#x6)
- «Hippopotamus» has five syllables. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/syllable/#x7)
- He did not answer a syllable, but went on eating, and afterwards returned to his work. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/syllable/#x8)

### Note

Plural «syllables». Spelling: double «l», ending «-able». Count vowel sounds, not vowel letters: «cake» has one syllable even with two vowel letters. Do not confuse with «syllabus» (a list of topics for a course).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «syllable» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/syllable/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«syllable» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/syllable.html) on Mova free.