How Many Syllables In Kilometre?
4syllables
Kilometre has 4 syllables, kɪl-ə-miː-tə. It is a polysyllabic word.
kɪləmiːtə
/ˈkɪl.ə.miː.tə/ UK /ˈkɪl.ə.miː.t̬ɚ/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, kɪl.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CV/CV
Division By Sound
/kɪl.ə.miː.tə/
Division By Letters
The spelling does not split cleanly
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Kilometre
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 | ɪ | l | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 | m | iː | – | CV | open |
| 4 | t | ə | – | CV | open |
Why Kilometre Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ɪ/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /m/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 3 and 4, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈkɪl.ə.miː.tə/ | /ˈkɪl.ə.miː.t̬ɚ/ | 4 |
| Also | /kɪˈlɒm.ɪ.tə/ | 4 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in kilometre?
Kilometre has 4 syllables, kɪl-ə-miː-tə. In British English it is transcribed /ˈkɪl.ə.miː.tə/.
Which syllable is stressed in kilometre?
The first syllable, kɪl, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of kilometre?
Kilometre has the structure CVC/V/CV/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide kilometre into syllables?
By sound, kɪl.ə.miː.tə. By letters, as a spelling guide, the spelling does not split cleanly.