What Is a Syllable? (with Examples)

What Is a Syllable? (with Examples)
A syllable is a single segment of uninterrupted sound which is typically produced with a single pulse of air from the lungs.

A syllable is made up of one or more letters with a vowel sound at its core.

A syllable which ends in a consonant is called a closed syllable. A syllable which ends in a vowel sound is called an open syllable.
Examples of Syllables
Each new syllable will create a new vowel sound. For example:



• Mississippi
(Four syllables: "Miss" + "iss" + "ipp" + "i")
• Rugged
(Two syllables: "rugg" + "ed")
This does not necessarily mean that every syllable will contain a vowel, but it will include a vowel sound when pronounced. For example, rhythm does not contain any vowels, but it is said with two vowel sounds ("rith" + "em"). Therefore, rhythm has two syllables.
Pronunciation Determines How Many Syllables
Spelling is not always a good indication of how many syllables a word has. The pronunciation of a word determines the number of syllables. For example:


• screeched
(one syllable)
• shrugged
(one syllable)
(This is interesting because rugged has two syllables.)
Here is another example:


• You learned a lot today.
(one syllable)
• Today, you are learned gentleman.
(two syllables: "learn" + "ed")