How Many Syllables In Lawyer?
2syllables
Lawyer has 2 syllables, law-yer. It is a disyllabic word.
lawyer
/ˈlɔɪ.ə/ UK /ˈlɔɪ.ɚ/ US
Lawyer can also be said with 1 syllable (UK /ˈlɔɪə/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, law.
Syllable Structure
CV/V
Division By Sound
/lɔɪ.ə/
Division By Letters
law-yer
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Lawyer
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 | l | ɔɪ | – | CV | open |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
Why Lawyer Divides Here
- Two vowels meet between syllables 1 and 2, so syllable 2 has no onset.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈlɔɪ.ə/ | /ˈlɔɪ.ɚ/ | 2 |
| Also | /ˈlɔɪə/ | 1 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in lawyer?
Lawyer has 2 syllables, law-yer. In British English it is transcribed /ˈlɔɪ.ə/.
Which syllable is stressed in lawyer?
The first syllable, law, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of lawyer?
Lawyer has the structure CV/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide lawyer into syllables?
By sound, lɔɪ.ə. By letters, as a spelling guide, law-yer.