How Many Syllables In Underweight?
3syllables
Underweight has 3 syllables, un-der-weight. It is a trisyllabic word.
underweight
/ˈʌn.də.weɪt/ UK /ˈʌn.dɚ.weɪt/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the first syllable, un.
Syllable Structure
VC/CV/CVC
Division By Sound
/ʌn.də.weɪt/
Division By Letters
un-der-weight
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Underweight
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 | n | VC | closed |
| 2 | d | ə | – | CV | open |
| 3 | w | eɪ | t | CVC | closed |
Why Underweight Divides Here
- Syllable 1 is stressed and has the short vowel /ʌ/, so it keeps a coda /n/.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /w/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in underweight?
Underweight has 3 syllables, un-der-weight. In British English it is transcribed /ˈʌn.də.weɪt/.
Which syllable is stressed in underweight?
The first syllable, un, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of underweight?
Underweight has the structure VC/CV/CVC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide underweight into syllables?
By sound, ʌn.də.weɪt. By letters, as a spelling guide, un-der-weight.