How Many Syllables In Worthless?
2syllables
Worthless has 2 syllables, worth-less. It is a disyllabic word.
worthless
/ˈwɜːθ.ləs/ UK /ˈwɝːθ.ləs/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, worth.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CVC
Division By Sound
/wɜːθ.ləs/
Division By Letters
worth-less
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Worthless
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 | w | ɜː | θ | CVC | closed |
| 2 | l | ə | s | CVC | closed |
Why Worthless Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈwɜːθ.ləs/ | /ˈwɝːθ.ləs/ | 2 |
| Also | /ˈwɜːθ.lɪs/ | 2 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in worthless?
Worthless has 2 syllables, worth-less. In British English it is transcribed /ˈwɜːθ.ləs/.
Which syllable is stressed in worthless?
The first syllable, worth, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of worthless?
Worthless has the structure CVC/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide worthless into syllables?
By sound, wɜːθ.ləs. By letters, as a spelling guide, worth-less.