meretricious

Syllables:
me·re·tri·cious
4 syllables
meretricious in syllables

About "meretricious"

Syllables
4
Letters
12
Language
EN

How to Split "meretricious" into Syllables

The word meretricious is divided into 4 syllables: me·re·tri·cious. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.

📝 Syllable Breakdown

  • me — 1st syllable
  • re — 2nd syllable
  • tri — 3rd syllable
  • cious — 4th syllable

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

The phonetic transcription of meretricious:

  • IPA: /ˌmɛɹɪˈtɹɪʃəs/

Listen to Pronunciation

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📖 Definitions

  1. meretricious (comparative more meretricious, superlative most meretricious)
  2. Tastelessly gaudy; superficially attractive but having in reality no value or substance; falsely alluring.

📚 Word Origin & History

From Latin meretrīcius, from meretrīx (“harlot, prostitute”), from mereō (“earn, deserve, merit”) (English merit) + -trīx (“(female agent)”) (English -trix).

✓ Why Learn Syllable Division?

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

Word Syllables Division
meretricious 4 me·re·tri·cious
murderous 3 mur-der-ous
murderess 3 mur-de-ress
meritorious 4 me-ri-tor-ious

🔗 Related Words

Explore syllable divisions of words related to meretricious:

mere, Merak, Merck, mercy, meres, merge, merit, Merle.

Frequently Asked Questions About "meretricious"

How many syllables does "meretricious" have?

meretricious has 4 syllables: me·re·tri·cious. The word is divided into 4 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.

Where is the stress in "meretricious"?

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

How do you pronounce "meretricious"?

meretricious is pronounced as /ˌmɛɹɪˈtɹɪʃəs/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: me·re·tri·cious.

Is "meretricious" easy to spell?

Breaking meretricious into syllables helps with spelling: me·re·tri·cious. By pronouncing each syllable separately, you can identify the letters more easily and avoid common spelling mistakes.

Why learn to divide "meretricious" 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.