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")