How Many Syllables In Sleepless?
2syllables
Sleepless has 2 syllables, sleep-less. It is a disyllabic word.
sleepless
/ˈsliːp.ləs/ UK /ˈsliːp.ləs/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, sleep.
Syllable Structure
CCVC/CVC
Division By Sound
/sliːp.ləs/
Division By Letters
sleep-less
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Sleepless
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 | sl | iː | p | CCVC | closed |
| 2 | l | ə | s | CVC | closed |
Why Sleepless Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /l/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈsliːp.ləs/ | /ˈsliːp.ləs/ | 2 |
| Also | /ˈsliːp.lɪs/ | 2 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in sleepless?
Sleepless has 2 syllables, sleep-less. In British English it is transcribed /ˈsliːp.ləs/.
Which syllable is stressed in sleepless?
The first syllable, sleep, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of sleepless?
Sleepless has the structure CCVC/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide sleepless into syllables?
By sound, sliːp.ləs. By letters, as a spelling guide, sleep-less.