How Many Syllables In Ultimate?
3syllables
Ultimate has 3 syllables, ul-ti-mate. It is a trisyllabic word.
ultimate
/ˈʌl.tɪ.mət/ UK /ˈʌl.tə.mət/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, ul.
Syllable Structure
VC/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/ʌl.tɪ.mət/
Division By Letters
ul-ti-mate
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Ultimate
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 | – | ʌ | l | VC | closed |
| 2 | t | ɪ | – | CV | open |
| 3 | m | ə | t | CVC | closed |
Why Ultimate Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ʌ/, so it keeps a coda /l/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /m/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /ˈʌl.tɪ.mət/ | /ˈʌl.tə.mət/ | 3 |
| Also | /ˈʌl.tɪ.mɪt/ | 3 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in ultimate?
Ultimate has 3 syllables, ul-ti-mate. In British English it is transcribed /ˈʌl.tɪ.mət/.
Which syllable is stressed in ultimate?
The first syllable, ul, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of ultimate?
Ultimate has the structure VC/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide ultimate into syllables?
By sound, ʌl.tɪ.mət. By letters, as a spelling guide, ul-ti-mate.