syllable

1 of 2

noun

syl·​la·​ble ˈsi-lə-bəl 

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 (such as syl, la, and ble) in a word (such 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

: sol-fa syllables

syllable

2 of 2

verb

syllabled; syllabling ˈsi-lə-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

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

Synonyms

Noun

• damn
• hoot
• lick
• whit
• iota

Examples of syllable in a Sentence

Noun

The word “doctor” has two syllables.

“Doctor” is a two-syllable word.

The first syllable of the word “doctor” is given stress.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

My editor made two syllables of a single word louder and suddenly people started laughing. —Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2025

To accomplish that, Wild did careful surgery on the audience the documentary team shot on the day, moving syllables of words around and forcing hearing audiences to try to piece words that don’t actually sound like words together. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 24 June 2025

Examining and decoding bird calls is becoming an increasingly popular field of study, as scientists like me are discovering that many birds – including mountain chickadees – follow systematic rules to share important information, stringing together syllables like words in a sentence. —Sofia Marie Haley, The Conversation, 27 May 2025

In 2026, Rodo will mark 70 years since its establishment in 1956 by Dori’s father Romualdo, whose initial syllables form the brand’s moniker. —Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 23 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing syllable

• in words of one syllable
• open syllable

Rhymes for syllable

• billable
• tillable
• monosyllable

Kids Definition

syllable

noun

syl·​la·​ble

ˈsil-ə-bəl

1

: a unit of spoken language that consists of one or more vowel sounds alone or 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 treated as guides to division at the end of a line