colleague

Syllables:
col·lea·gue
3 syllables
colleague in syllables

About "colleague"

Syllables
3
Letters
9
Language
EN

How to Split "colleague" into Syllables

The word colleague is divided into 3 syllables: col·lea·gue. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.

📝 Syllable Breakdown

  • col — 1st syllable
  • lea — 2nd syllable
  • gue — 3rd syllable

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

The phonetic transcription of colleague:

  • IPA: /ˈkɒliːɡ/

Listen to Pronunciation

Note: Audio requires JavaScript enabled

📖 Definitions

  1. A fellow member of a profession, staff, academic faculty or other organization; an associate, a workmate.
  2. Not to be confused with college (which is a distant cognate, from Latin), and collage.

📚 Word Origin & History

From Middle French collegue, from Latin collēga (“a partner in office”), from com- (“with”) + lēgō (“to send on an embassy”), from lēx (“law”).

✓ Why Learn Syllable Division?

Understanding how to break down colleague 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 colleague with related words to understand syllable patterns:

Word Syllables Division
colleague 3 col·lea·gue
Celsius 2 cel-sius
collage 3 col-la-ge
callus 2 cal-lus
classes 2 clas-ses

🔗 Related Words

Explore syllable divisions of words related to colleague:

Col, COLA, cold, Cole, coll, Colo, colt, Colby.

Frequently Asked Questions About "colleague"

How many syllables does "colleague" have?

colleague has 3 syllables: col·lea·gue. The word is divided into 3 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.

Where is the stress in "colleague"?

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

How do you pronounce "colleague"?

colleague is pronounced as /ˈkɒliːɡ/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: col·lea·gue.

Is "colleague" easy to spell?

Breaking colleague into syllables helps with spelling: col·lea·gue. By pronouncing each syllable separately, you can identify the letters more easily and avoid common spelling mistakes.

Why learn to divide "colleague" 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.