capital

How to Split "capital" into Syllables

The word capital is divided into 3 syllables: ca·pit·al. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.

📝 Syllable Breakdown

• ca — 1st syllable
• pit — 2nd syllable
• al — 3rd syllable

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

The phonetic transcription of capital:

• IPA: /ˈkæpɪtəl/

📖 Definitions

1. capital (countable and uncountable, plural capitals)
2. Hollywood is the film capital, New York the theater capital, Las Vegas the gambling capital.

📚 Word Origin & History

From Middle English capital, borrowed partly from Old French capital and partly from Latin capitālis (“of the head”) (in sense “head of cattle”), from caput (“head”) (English cap) + -ālis (suffix forming adjectives). Use in trade and finance originated in Medieval economies when a common but expensive transaction involved trading heads of cattle. The noun is from the adjective. Compare chattel and kith and kine (“all one’s possessions”), which also use “cow” to mean “pr...

✓ Why Learn Syllable Division?

Understanding how to break down capital into syllables helps with:

• Correct pronunciation — Knowing syllable structure ensures accurate speech
• Improved spelling — Breaking words into chunks makes them easier to remember and write
• Reading fluency — Recognizing syllable patterns speeds up reading comprehension
• Poetry and lyrics — Syllable counting is essential for meter and rhythm
• Language learning — Non-native speakers benefit from syllable awareness

🔗 Related Words

Explore syllable divisions of words related to capital:

CAP, cape, Caph, capo, capt, Capek, caper, Capet.