How Many Syllables In Delivery?
4syllables
Delivery has 4 syllables, de-liv-er-y. It is a polysyllabic word.
delivery
/dɪˈlɪv.ər.i/ UK /dɪˈlɪv.ɚ.i/ US
Delivery can also be said with 3 syllables (UK /dɪˈlɪv.ri/).
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, liv.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC/VC/V
Division By Sound
/dɪ.lɪv.ər.i/
Division By Letters
de-liv-er-y
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Delivery
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | d | ɪ | – | CV | open |
| 2 primary stress | l | ɪ | v | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | r | VC | closed |
| 4 | – | i | – | V | open |
Why Delivery Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 2 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /v/.
- Syllable 3 ends in /r/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /dɪˈlɪv.ər.i/ | /dɪˈlɪv.ɚ.i/ | 4 |
| Also | /dɪˈlɪv.ri/ | 3 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in delivery?
Delivery has 4 syllables, de-liv-er-y. In British English it is transcribed /dɪˈlɪv.ər.i/.
Which syllable is stressed in delivery?
The second syllable, liv, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of delivery?
Delivery has the structure CV/CVC/VC/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide delivery into syllables?
By sound, dɪ.lɪv.ər.i. By letters, as a spelling guide, de-liv-er-y.