emeritus

How to Split "emeritus" into Syllables

The word emeritus is divided into 4 syllables: e·me·ri·tus. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.

📝 Syllable Breakdown

• e — 1st syllable
• me — 2nd syllable
• ri — 3rd syllable
• tus — 4th syllable

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

The phonetic transcription of emeritus:

• IPA: /ɪˈmɛɹɪtəs/

📖 Definitions

1. emeritus (not comparable, feminine singular emerita, masculine plural emeriti or (rare) emerituses, feminine plural emeritae)
2. Until c. 1910–1920, both prepositive and postpositive usage was more or less equally common. Since then, more commonly postpositive (e.g., professor emeritus instead of emeritus professor).

📚 Word Origin & History

The adjective is a learned borrowing from Latin ēmeritus (“(having been) earned, (having been) merited; (having been) served, having done one’s service”), the perfect passive participle of ēmereō (“to earn, merit; to gain by service; (military) to complete one’s obligation to serve, to serve out one’s time”), from ex- (prefix meaning ‘away; out’) + mereō (“to deserve, merit; to acquire, earn, get, obtain; to render service to; to serve”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-Euro...

✓ Why Learn Syllable Division?

Understanding how to break down emeritus 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 emeritus:

emend, Emery, emerge, emetic, emerald, emerita, Emerson, emergent.