How Many Syllables In Sexual?
3syllables
Sexual has 3 syllables, sex-u-al. It is a trisyllabic word.
sexual
/ˈsek.ʃu.əl/ UK /ˈsek.ʃu.əl/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, sex.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CV/VC
Division By Sound
/sek.ʃu.əl/
Division By Letters
sex-u-al
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Sexual
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 | ʃ | u | – | CV | open |
| 3 | – | ə | l | VC | closed |
Why Sexual Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /k/.
- Two vowels meet between syllables 2 and 3, so syllable 3 has no onset.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in sexual?
Sexual has 3 syllables, sex-u-al. In British English it is transcribed /ˈsek.ʃu.əl/.
Which syllable is stressed in sexual?
The first syllable, sex, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of sexual?
Sexual has the structure CVC/CV/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide sexual into syllables?
By sound, sek.ʃu.əl. By letters, as a spelling guide, sex-u-al.