How Many Syllables In Mothball?
2syllables
Mothball has 2 syllables, moth-ball. It is a disyllabic word.
mothball
/ˈmɒθ.bɔːl/ UK /ˈmɔːθ.bɔːl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, moth.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CVC
Division By Sound
/mɒθ.bɔːl/
Division By Letters
moth-ball
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Mothball
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 | m | ɒ | θ | CVC | closed |
| 2 | b | ɔː | l | CVC | closed |
Why Mothball Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɒ/, so it keeps a coda /θ/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in mothball?
Mothball has 2 syllables, moth-ball. In British English it is transcribed /ˈmɒθ.bɔːl/.
Which syllable is stressed in mothball?
The first syllable, moth, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of mothball?
Mothball has the structure CVC/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide mothball into syllables?
By sound, mɒθ.bɔːl. By letters, as a spelling guide, moth-ball.