How Many Syllables In Anxiety?
4syllables
Anxiety has 4 syllables, anx-i-e-ty. It is a polysyllabic word.
anxiety
/æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti/ UK /æŋˈzaɪ.ə.t̬i/ US
Anxiety can also be said with 3 syllables (UK /æŋˈzaɪə.ti/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, i.
Syllable Structure
VC/CV/V/CV
Division By Sound
/æŋ.zaɪ.ə.ti/
Division By Letters
anx-i-e-ty
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Anxiety
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | – | æ | ŋ | VC | closed |
| 2 primary stress | z | aɪ | – | CV | open |
| 3 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 4 | t | i | – | CV | open |
Why Anxiety Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /z/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Two vowels meet between syllables 2 and 3, so syllable 3 has no onset.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti/ | /æŋˈzaɪ.ə.t̬i/ | 4 |
| Also | /æŋˈzaɪə.ti/ | 3 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in anxiety?
Anxiety has 4 syllables, anx-i-e-ty. In British English it is transcribed /æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti/.
Which syllable is stressed in anxiety?
The second syllable, i, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of anxiety?
Anxiety has the structure VC/CV/V/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide anxiety into syllables?
By sound, æŋ.zaɪ.ə.ti. By letters, as a spelling guide, anx-i-e-ty.