How Many Syllables In Vicarious?
4syllables
Vicarious has 4 syllables, vi-ca-ri-ous. It is a polysyllabic word.
vicarious
/vɪˈkeə.ri.əs/ UK /vaɪˈker.i.əs/ US
Stress
The main stress falls on the second syllable, ca.
Syllable Structure
CV/CV/CV/VC
Division By Sound
/vɪ.keə.ri.əs/
Division By Letters
vi-ca-ri-ous
A spelling guide that follows the sound division.
Tree Diagram Of Vicarious
S syllable, O onset, R rime, P peak, C coda, Ø no coda.
Parts Of Each Syllable
| Syllable | Onset | Peak | Coda | Pattern | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | v | ɪ | – | CV | open |
| 2 primary stress | k | eə | – | CV | open |
| 3 | r | i | – | CV | open |
| 4 | – | ə | s | VC | closed |
Why Vicarious Divides Here
- Between syllables 1 and 2, /k/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Between syllables 2 and 3, /r/ goes to the right, following the Maximal Onsets Principle.
- Two vowels meet between syllables 3 and 4, so syllable 4 has no onset.
Pronunciations
| Form | UK | US | Syllables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | /vɪˈkeə.ri.əs/ | /vaɪˈker.i.əs/ | 4 |
| Also | /vaɪˈkeə.ri.əs/ | 4 |
Questions Students Ask
How many syllables are in vicarious?
Vicarious has 4 syllables, vi-ca-ri-ous. In British English it is transcribed /vɪˈkeə.ri.əs/.
Which syllable is stressed in vicarious?
The second syllable, ca, carries the main stress.
What is the syllable structure of vicarious?
Vicarious has the structure CV/CV/CV/VC, where C is a consonant sound and V is a vowel sound.
How do you divide vicarious into syllables?
By sound, vɪ.keə.ri.əs. By letters, as a spelling guide, vi-ca-ri-ous.