How Many Syllables In Metaphor?
3syllables
Metaphor has 3 syllables, met-a-phor. It is a trisyllabic word.
metaphor
/ˈmet.ə.fɔː/ UK /ˈmet.ə.fɔːr/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, met.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CV
Division By Sound
/met.ə.fɔː/
Division By Letters
met-a-phor
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Metaphor
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 | t | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 | f | ɔː | – | CV | open |
Why Metaphor Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /t/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /f/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in metaphor?
Metaphor has 3 syllables, met-a-phor. In British English it is transcribed /ˈmet.ə.fɔː/.
Which syllable is stressed in metaphor?
The first syllable, met, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of metaphor?
Metaphor has the structure CVC/V/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide metaphor into syllables?
By sound, met.ə.fɔː. By letters, as a spelling guide, met-a-phor.