Meaning & use
syllable
A unit of pronunciation containing a single vowel sound, forming all or part of a word.
See it in a sentence
The word 'banana' has three syllables, which are ba, na, and na.
Poets often count syllables carefully when writing in strict forms like haiku.
A note on using this word
Counting syllables is useful for pronunciation, poetry meter, and word stress; a syllable can be a whole word or just part of a longer one.
Words with a similar meaning
This term is best learned through its definition and examples.
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
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