The word describe is divided into 2 syllables: descri·be. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.
The phonetic transcription of describe:
Note: Audio requires JavaScript enabled
From Middle English descriven, from Old French descrivre, from Latin dēscrībō (“I copy off, transcribe, sketch off, describe in painting or writing”), from dē (“off”) + scrībō (“write”); see scribe and shrive. Displaced native Old English āmearcian. From English describe.
Understanding how to break down describe into syllables helps with:
Compare describe with related words to understand syllable patterns:
| Word | Syllables | Division |
|---|---|---|
| describe | 2 | descri·be |
| disrobe | 3 | dis-ro-be |
| digraph | 2 | di-graph |
| discography | 4 | di-sco-gra-phy |
| deserve | 3 | de-ser-ve |
Explore syllable divisions of words related to describe:
desk, desalt, descry, desert, design, desire, desist, despot.
describe has 2 syllables: descri·be. The word is divided into 2 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.
The stress is on the first syllable: descri. This means you emphasize the "descri" part when pronouncing describe.
describe is pronounced as /dɪˈskɹaɪb/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: descri·be.
Breaking describe into syllables helps with spelling: descri·be. By pronouncing each syllable separately, you can identify the letters more easily and avoid common spelling mistakes.
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.