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[1] 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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