How Many Syllables In Epidemic?
4syllables
Epidemic has 4 syllables, ep-i-dem-ic. It is a polysyllabic word.
epidemic
/ˌep.ɪˈdem.ɪk/ UK /ˌep.ɪˈdem.ɪk/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, dem.
Syllable Structure
VC/V/CVC/VC
Division By Sound
/ep.ɪ.dem.ɪk/
Division By Letters
ep-i-dem-ic
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Epidemic
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 secondary stress | – | e | p | VC | closed |
| 2 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 3 primary stress | d | e | m | CVC | closed |
| 4 | – | ɪ | k | VC | closed |
Why Epidemic Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /p/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /d/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 3 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /m/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in epidemic?
Epidemic has 4 syllables, ep-i-dem-ic. In British English it is transcribed /ˌep.ɪˈdem.ɪk/.
Which syllable is stressed in epidemic?
The third syllable, dem, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of epidemic?
Epidemic has the structure VC/V/CVC/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide epidemic into syllables?
By sound, ep.ɪ.dem.ɪk. By letters, as a spelling guide, ep-i-dem-ic.