CountMySyllables

Syllable Dictionary

Look up one word at a time to see its syllable count, which syllable carries the stress, and its rhyming sound.

Words where the "correct" count is genuinely disputed

A dictionary can only report one pronunciation, but real speech varies. These are common words where this site's source picks one valid pronunciation, and a different, equally common one gives a different syllable count:

  • fire — Counted as 2 ("FY-er"), CMUdict's listed pronunciation. Often said as 1 syllable ("fyre") in fast or Southern American speech.
  • hour — Counted as 2 ("OW-er"). Commonly perceived as 1 syllable in casual speech.
  • chocolate — Counted as 2 ("CHOK-lit"). Many speakers use a 3-syllable pronunciation ("CHOC-o-late").
  • every — Counted as 3 ("EV-er-ee"), CMUdict's primary entry. Often reduced to 2 ("EV-ree") in fast or casual speech -- CMUdict lists this as an alternate pronunciation.
  • business — Counted as 2 ("BIZ-nis"). The spelling suggests 3, but that pronunciation is uncommon.
  • wednesday — Counted as 2 ("WENZ-day"), matching how it's actually said -- the spelling has 3 written vowel groups.

Writing a poem with a strict meter? Check the whole line's rhythm rather than relying on a single word's count in isolation.

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