The word fence is divided into 2 syllables: fen·ce. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.
The phonetic transcription of fence:
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From Middle English fence, fens, short for defence, defens (“the act of defending”), from Old French defens, defense (see defence). The sense "enclosure" arises in the mid 15th century. Also from the 15th century is use as a verb in the sense "to enclose with a fence". The generalized sense "to defend, screen, protect" arises ca. 1500. The sense "to fight with swords (rapiers)" is from the 1590s (Shakespeare). Displaced native Old English heġe (compare Modern English hedge).
Understanding how to break down fence into syllables helps with:
Compare fence with related words to understand syllable patterns:
| Word | Syllables | Division |
|---|---|---|
| fence | 2 | fen·ce |
| fines | 2 | fi-nes |
| funk | 1 | funk |
| finish | 2 | fi-nish |
| famous | 2 | fam-ous |
Explore syllable divisions of words related to fence:
fen, fend, fencer, fender, Fenian, fennel, fencing, fenland.
fence has 2 syllables: fen·ce. The word is divided into 2 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.
The stress is on the first syllable: fen. This means you emphasize the "fen" part when pronouncing fence.
fence is pronounced as /fɛns/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: fen·ce.
Breaking fence into syllables helps with spelling: fen·ce. 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.