First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1syllable
noun syl·la·ble \ˈsi-lə-bəl\
: any one of the parts into which a word is naturally divided when it is pronounced
Full Definition of SYLLABLE
1
: a unit of spoken language that is next bigger than a speech sound and consists of one or more vowel sounds alone or of a syllabic consonant alone or of either with one or more consonant sounds preceding or following
2
: one or more letters (as syl, la, and ble) in a word (as syl*la*ble) usually set off from the rest of the word by a centered dot or a hyphen and roughly corresponding to the syllables of spoken language and treated as helps to pronunciation or as guides to placing hyphens at the end of a line
3
: the smallest conceivable expression or unit of something : jot
4
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Origin of SYLLABLE
Middle English, from Anglo-French sillabe, silable, from Latin syllaba, from Greek syllabē, from syllambanein to gather together, from syn- + lambanein to take — more at latch
Related to SYLLABLE
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
2syllable
transitive verb
syl·la·bledsyl·la·bling \-b(ə-)liŋ\
Definition of SYLLABLE
1
: to give a number or arrangement of syllables to (a word or verse)
2
: to express or utter in or as if in syllables
First Known Use of SYLLABLE
15th century
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
Rhymes with SYLLABLE
SYLLABLE Defined for Kids
syllable
noun syl·la·ble \ˈsi-lə-bəl\
Definition of SYLLABLE for Kids
1
: a unit of spoken language that consists of one or more vowel sounds alone or with one or more consonant sounds coming before or following
2
: one or more letters (as syl, la, and ble) in a written word (as syl*la*ble) usually separated from the rest of the word by a centered dot or a hyphen and used as guides to the division of the word at the end of a line
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