How Many Syllables In Chameleon?
4syllables
Chameleon has 4 syllables, cha-me-le-on. It is a polysyllabic word.
chameleon
/kəˈmiː.li.ən/ UK /kəˈmiː.li.ən/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, me.
Syllable Structure
CV/CV/CV/VC
Division By Sound
/kə.miː.li.ən/
Division By Letters
cha-me-le-on
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Chameleon
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | k | ə | – | CV | open |
| 2 primary stress | m | iː | – | CV | open |
| 3 | l | i | – | CV | open |
| 4 | – | ə | n | VC | closed |
Why Chameleon Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /m/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Two vowels meet between syllables 3 and 4, so syllable 4 has no onset.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in chameleon?
Chameleon has 4 syllables, cha-me-le-on. In British English it is transcribed /kəˈmiː.li.ən/.
Which syllable is stressed in chameleon?
The second syllable, me, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of chameleon?
Chameleon has the structure CV/CV/CV/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide chameleon into syllables?
By sound, kə.miː.li.ən. By letters, as a spelling guide, cha-me-le-on.