How Many Syllables In Referee?
3syllables
Referee has 3 syllables, ref-e-ree. It is a trisyllabic word.
referee
/ˌref.əˈriː/ UK /ˌref.əˈriː/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the third syllable, ree.
Syllable Structure
CVC/V/CV
Division By Sound
/ref.ə.riː/
Division By Letters
ref-e-ree
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Referee
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 secondary stress | r | e | f | CVC | closed |
| 2 | – | ə | – | V | open |
| 3 primary stress | r | iː | – | CV | open |
Why Referee Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /e/, so it keeps a coda /f/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /r/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in referee?
Referee has 3 syllables, ref-e-ree. In British English it is transcribed /ˌref.əˈriː/.
Which syllable is stressed in referee?
The third syllable, ree, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of referee?
Referee has the structure CVC/V/CV, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide referee into syllables?
By sound, ref.ə.riː. By letters, as a spelling guide, ref-e-ree.