How Many Syllables In Melissa?
3syllables
Melissa has 3 syllables, me-liss-a. It is a trisyllabic word.
melissa
/məˈlɪs.ə/ UK /məˈlɪs.ə/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, liss.
Syllable Structure
CV/CVC/V
Division By Sound
/mə.lɪs.ə/
Division By Letters
me-liss-a
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Melissa
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | m | ə | – | CV | open |
| 2 primary stress | l | ɪ | s | CVC | closed |
| 3 | – | ə | – | V | open |
Why Melissa 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 /s/.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in Melissa?
Melissa has 3 syllables, me-liss-a. In British English it is transcribed /məˈlɪs.ə/.
Which syllable is stressed in Melissa?
The second syllable, liss, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of Melissa?
Melissa has the structure CV/CVC/V, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide Melissa into syllables?
By sound, mə.lɪs.ə. By letters, as a spelling guide, me-liss-a.