How Many Syllables In Laughter?
2syllables
Laughter has 2 syllables, laugh-ter. It is a disyllabic word.
laughter
/ˈlɑːf.tə/ UK /ˈlæf.tɚ/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, laugh.
Syllable Structure
CVC/CV
Division By Sound
/lɑːf.tə/
Division By Letters
laugh-ter
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Laughter
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 | l | ɑː | f | CVC | closed |
| 2 | t | ə | – | CV | open |
Why Laughter Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /t/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in laughter?
Laughter has 2 syllables, laugh-ter. In British English it is transcribed /ˈlɑːf.tə/.
Which syllable is stressed in laughter?
The first syllable, laugh, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of laughter?
Laughter has the structure CVC/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide laughter into syllables?
By sound, lɑːf.tə. By letters, as a spelling guide, laugh-ter.