How Many Syllables In Oxymoron?
4syllables
Oxymoron has 4 syllables, ox-y-mo-ron. It is a polysyllabic word.
oxymoron
/ˌɒk.sɪˈmɔː.rɒn/ UK /ˌɑːk.sɪˈmɔː.rɑːn/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, mo.
Syllable Structure
VC/CV/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/ɒk.sɪ.mɔː.rɒn/
Division By Letters
ox-y-mo-ron
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Oxymoron
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 | – | ɒ | k | VC | closed |
| 2 | s | ɪ | – | CV | open |
| 3 primary stress | m | ɔː | – | CV | open |
| 4 | r | ɒ | n | CVC | closed |
Why Oxymoron Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɒ/, so it keeps a coda /k/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /m/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /r/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in oxymoron?
Oxymoron has 4 syllables, ox-y-mo-ron. In British English it is transcribed /ˌɒk.sɪˈmɔː.rɒn/.
Which syllable is stressed in oxymoron?
The third syllable, mo, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of oxymoron?
Oxymoron has the structure VC/CV/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide oxymoron into syllables?
By sound, ɒk.sɪ.mɔː.rɒn. By letters, as a spelling guide, ox-y-mo-ron.
Other Words With Four Syllables
Words With The Same Structure, VC/CV/CV/CVC
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