How Many Syllables In Illustrate?
3syllables
Illustrate has 3 syllables, ill-u-strate. It is a trisyllabic word.
illustrate
/ˈɪl.ə.streɪt/ UK /ˈɪl.ə.streɪt/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, ill.
Syllable Structure
VC/V/CCCVC
Division By Sound
/ɪl.ə.streɪt/
Division By Letters
ill-u-strate
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Illustrate
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 | – | ɪ | l | VC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 | str | eɪ | t | CCCVC | closed |
Why Illustrate Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /str/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in illustrate?
Illustrate has 3 syllables, ill-u-strate. In British English it is transcribed /ˈɪl.ə.streɪt/.
Which syllable is stressed in illustrate?
The first syllable, ill, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of illustrate?
Illustrate has the structure VC/V/CCCVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide illustrate into syllables?
By sound, ɪl.ə.streɪt. By letters, as a spelling guide, ill-u-strate.