How Many Syllables In Fossil?
2syllables
Fossil has 2 syllables, foss-il. It is a disyllabic word.
fossil
/ˈfɒs.əl/ UK /ˈfɑː.səl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, foss.
Syllable Structure
CVC/VC
Division By Sound
/fɒs.əl/
Division By Letters
foss-il
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Fossil
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 | f | ɒ | s | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | l | VC | closed |
Why Fossil Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɒ/, so it keeps a coda /s/.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈfɒs.əl/ | /ˈfɑː.səl/ | 2 |
| Also | /ˈfɒs.ɪl/ | 2 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in fossil?
Fossil has 2 syllables, foss-il. In British English it is transcribed /ˈfɒs.əl/.
Which syllable is stressed in fossil?
The first syllable, foss, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of fossil?
Fossil has the structure CVC/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide fossil into syllables?
By sound, fɒs.əl. By letters, as a spelling guide, foss-il.