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