meritorious

Syllables:
me·ri·tor·ious
4 syllables
meritorious in syllables

About "meritorious"

Syllables
4
Letters
11
Language
EN

How to Split "meritorious" into Syllables

The word meritorious is divided into 4 syllables: me·ri·tor·ious. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.

📝 Syllable Breakdown

  • me — 1st syllable
  • ri — 2nd syllable
  • tor — 3rd syllable
  • ious — 4th syllable

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

The phonetic transcription of meritorious:

  • IPA: /ˌmɛɹɪˈtɔɹi.əs/

Listen to Pronunciation

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📖 Definitions

  1. meritorious (comparative more meritorious, superlative most meritorious)

📚 Word Origin & History

From Middle English meritorious, borrowed between 1375 and 1425 from Latin meritōrius (“earning money”), from meritus, past participle of mereō (“to earn”).

✓ Why Learn Syllable Division?

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

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

🔗 Related Words

Explore syllable divisions of words related to meritorious:

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

Frequently Asked Questions About "meritorious"

How many syllables does "meritorious" have?

meritorious has 4 syllables: me·ri·tor·ious. The word is divided into 4 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.

Where is the stress in "meritorious"?

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

How do you pronounce "meritorious"?

meritorious is pronounced as /ˌmɛɹɪˈtɔɹi.əs/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: me·ri·tor·ious.

Is "meritorious" easy to spell?

Breaking meritorious into syllables helps with spelling: me·ri·tor·ious. By pronouncing each syllable separately, you can identify the letters more easily and avoid common spelling mistakes.

Why learn to divide "meritorious" 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.