How Many Syllables In Melancholy?
4syllables
Melancholy has 4 syllables, mel-an-chol-y. It is a polysyllabic word.
melancholy
/ˈmel.ən.kɒl.i/ UK /ˈmel.ən.kɑː.li/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, mel.
Syllable Structure
CVC/VC/CVC/V
Division By Sound
/mel.ən.kɒl.i/
Division By Letters
mel-an-chol-y
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Melancholy
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 | m | e | l | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | n | VC | closed |
| 3 | k | ɒ | l | CVC | closed |
| 4 | – | i | – | V | open |
Why Melancholy Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /k/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Syllable 3 ends in /l/ because the next syllable cannot take it as an onset here.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in melancholy?
Melancholy has 4 syllables, mel-an-chol-y. In British English it is transcribed /ˈmel.ən.kɒl.i/.
Which syllable is stressed in melancholy?
The first syllable, mel, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of melancholy?
Melancholy has the structure CVC/VC/CVC/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide melancholy into syllables?
By sound, mel.ən.kɒl.i. By letters, as a spelling guide, mel-an-chol-y.
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