early

Syllables:
ear·ly
2 syllables
early in syllables

About "early"

Syllables
2
Letters
5
Language
EN

How to Split "early" into Syllables

The word early is divided into 2 syllables: ear·ly. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.

📝 Syllable Breakdown

  • ear — 1st syllable
  • ly — 2nd syllable

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

The phonetic transcription of early:

  • IPA: /ˈɜːli/

Listen to Pronunciation

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📖 Definitions

  1. early (comparative earlier, superlative earliest)
  2. At a time in advance of the usual or expected event.

📚 Word Origin & History

From Middle English erly, erlich, earlich, from Old English ǣrlīċ (“early”, adjective), equivalent to ere +‎ -ly. From Middle English erly, orely, arely, erliche, arliche, from Old English ǣrlīċe, ārlīċe (“early; early in the morning”, adverb), equivalent to ere +‎ -ly. Cognate with Old Norse árliga, árla ( > Danish årle, Swedish arla, Norwegian årle, Faroese árla).

✓ Why Learn Syllable Division?

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

Word Syllables Division
early 2 ear·ly
Earle 2 ear-le
Earl 1 earl
Errol 2 er-rol

🔗 Related Words

Explore syllable divisions of words related to early:

ear, Earl, earn, Earp, Earle, earth, earful, earner.

Frequently Asked Questions About "early"

How many syllables does "early" have?

early has 2 syllables: ear·ly. The word is divided into 2 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.

Where is the stress in "early"?

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

How do you pronounce "early"?

early is pronounced as /ˈɜːli/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: ear·ly.

Is "early" easy to spell?

Breaking early into syllables helps with spelling: ear·ly. By pronouncing each syllable separately, you can identify the letters more easily and avoid common spelling mistakes.

Why learn to divide "early" 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.