How Many Syllables In Disbelief?
3syllables
Disbelief has 3 syllables, dis-be-lief. It is a trisyllabic word.
disbelief
/ˌdɪs.bɪˈliːf/ UK /ˌdɪs.bɪˈliːf/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, lief.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/dɪs.bɪ.liːf/
Division By Letters
dis-be-lief
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Disbelief
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 secondary stress | d | ɪ | s | CVC | closed |
| 2 | b | ɪ | – | CV | open |
| 3 primary stress | l | iː | f | CVC | closed |
Why Disbelief Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /s/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in disbelief?
Disbelief has 3 syllables, dis-be-lief. In British English it is transcribed /ˌdɪs.bɪˈliːf/.
Which syllable is stressed in disbelief?
The third syllable, lief, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of disbelief?
Disbelief has the structure CVC/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide disbelief into syllables?
By sound, dɪs.bɪ.liːf. By letters, as a spelling guide, dis-be-lief.