How Many Syllables In Definitely?
4syllables
Definitely has 4 syllables, defin-i-te-ly. It is a polysyllabic word.
definitely
/ˈdef.ɪ.nət.li/ UK /ˈdef.ə.nət.li/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, defin.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CVC/CV
Division By Sound
/def.ɪ.nət.li/
Division By Letters
defin-i-te-ly
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Definitely
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 primary stress | d | e | f | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 3 | n | ə | t | CVC | closed |
| 4 | l | i | – | CV | open |
Why Definitely Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /f/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /n/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈdef.ɪ.nət.li/ | /ˈdef.ə.nət.li/ | 4 |
| Also | /ˈdef.ɪ.nɪt.li/ | 4 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in definitely?
Definitely has 4 syllables, defin-i-te-ly. In British English it is transcribed /ˈdef.ɪ.nət.li/.
Which syllable is stressed in definitely?
The first syllable, defin, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of definitely?
Definitely has the structure CVC/V/CVC/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide definitely into syllables?
By sound, def.ɪ.nət.li. By letters, as a spelling guide, defin-i-te-ly.
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