How Many Syllables In Secretary?
3syllables
Secretary has 3 syllables, sec-reta-ry. It is a trisyllabic word.
secretary
/ˈsek.rə.tri/ UK /ˈsek.rəˌter.i/ US
Secretary can also be said with 4 syllables (US /ˈsek.rəˌter.i/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, sec.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CV/CCV
Division By Sound
/sek.rə.tri/
Division By Letters
sec-reta-ry
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Secretary
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 | s | e | k | CVC | closed |
| 2 | r | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 | tr | i | – | CCV | open |
Why Secretary Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /k/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /tr/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in secretary?
Secretary has 3 syllables, sec-reta-ry. In British English it is transcribed /ˈsek.rə.tri/.
Which syllable is stressed in secretary?
The first syllable, sec, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of secretary?
Secretary has the structure CVC/CV/CCV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide secretary into syllables?
By sound, sek.rə.tri. By letters, as a spelling guide, sec-reta-ry.