How Many Syllables In Cauliflower?
3syllables
Cauliflower has 3 syllables, caulifl-o-wer. It is a trisyllabic word.
cauliflower
/ˈkɒl.ɪ.flaʊə/ UK /ˈkɑː.lɪ.flaʊr/ US
Cauliflower can also be said with 4 syllables (UK /ˈkɒl.ɪ.flaʊ.ə/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, caulifl.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CCV
Division By Sound
/kɒl.ɪ.flaʊə/
Division By Letters
caulifl-o-wer
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Cauliflower
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 | k | ɒ | l | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ɪ | – | V | open |
| 3 | fl | aʊə | – | CCV | open |
Why Cauliflower Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɒ/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /fl/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈkɒl.ɪ.flaʊə/ | /ˈkɑː.lɪ.flaʊr/ | 3 |
| Also | /ˈkɒl.ɪ.flaʊ.ə/ | 4 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in cauliflower?
Cauliflower has 3 syllables, caulifl-o-wer. In British English it is transcribed /ˈkɒl.ɪ.flaʊə/.
Which syllable is stressed in cauliflower?
The first syllable, caulifl, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of cauliflower?
Cauliflower has the structure CVC/V/CCV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide cauliflower into syllables?
By sound, kɒl.ɪ.flaʊə. By letters, as a spelling guide, caulifl-o-wer.