celibate

Syllables:
ce·li·ba·te
4 syllables
celibate in syllables

About "celibate"

Syllables
4
Letters
8
Language
EN

How to Split "celibate" into Syllables

The word celibate is divided into 4 syllables: ce·li·ba·te. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.

📝 Syllable Breakdown

  • ce — 1st syllable
  • li — 2nd syllable
  • ba — 3rd syllable
  • te — 4th syllable

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

The phonetic transcription of celibate:

  • IPA: /ˈsɛləbət/

Listen to Pronunciation

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📖 Definitions

  1. One who is not married, especially one who has taken a religious vow not to get married, usually because of being a member of a religious community. [from 1869]
  2. celibate (third-person singular simple present celibates, present participle celibating, simple past and past participle celibated)

📚 Word Origin & History

Probably from the noun (“celibacy”) or from celibacy on the model of privacy/private, etc. Alternatively, from Latin caelebs (“single”) +‎ -ate. From Latin caelebs +‎ -ate (noun-forming suffix) From Latin caelebs +‎ -ate (verb-forming suffix) From French célibat (“celibacy”), from Latin caelibātus (“celibacy”), from caelebs (“unmarried”); compare German Zölibat (“celibacy”). Equivalent to Latin caelebs +‎ -ate (forming nouns denoting a rank, a state)

✓ Why Learn Syllable Division?

Understanding how to break down celibate 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

📊 Similar Words Comparison

Compare celibate with related words to understand syllable patterns:

Word Syllables Division
celibate 4 ce·li·ba·te
caliphate 4 ca-li-pha-te
cyclopaedia 4 cy-clo-pae-dia
cleft 1 cleft
clubfoot 2 club-foot

🔗 Related Words

Explore syllable divisions of words related to celibate:

cell, Celt, celeb, Celia, cello, celery, Celina, cellar.

Frequently Asked Questions About "celibate"

How many syllables does "celibate" have?

celibate has 4 syllables: ce·li·ba·te. The word is divided into 4 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.

Where is the stress in "celibate"?

The stress is on the first syllable: ce. This means you emphasize the "ce" part when pronouncing celibate.

How do you pronounce "celibate"?

celibate is pronounced as /ˈsɛləbət/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: ce·li·ba·te.

Is "celibate" easy to spell?

Breaking celibate into syllables helps with spelling: ce·li·ba·te. By pronouncing each syllable separately, you can identify the letters more easily and avoid common spelling mistakes.

Why learn to divide "celibate" into syllables?

Learning syllable division helps with correct pronunciation, improved spelling, better reading fluency, and is useful for poetry and lyric writing where syllable counting matters. It's especially helpful for language learners.