The word mirror is divided into 2 syllables: mir·ror. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.
The phonetic transcription of mirror:
Note: Audio requires JavaScript enabled
From Middle English mirour, from Old French mireor (“mirror”, literally “looker, watcher”), from mirer (“look at”), from Latin mīror (“wonder at”), from mīrus (“wonderful”), from Proto-Indo-European *smey- (“to laugh, to be glad”). Displaced native Middle English schewere, schawere, from Old English sċēawere (“mirror”, literally “watcher”), which was also the word for "spy". Unadapted borrowing from English mirror.
Understanding how to break down mirror into syllables helps with:
Compare mirror with related words to understand syllable patterns:
| Word | Syllables | Division |
|---|---|---|
| mirror | 2 | mir·ror |
| Moira | 2 | moi-ra |
| Mario | 2 | ma-rio |
| Maori | 2 | mao-ri |
| miry | 2 | mi-ry |
Explore syllable divisions of words related to mirror:
mirror has 2 syllables: mir·ror. The word is divided into 2 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.
The stress is on the first syllable: mir. This means you emphasize the "mir" part when pronouncing mirror.
mirror is pronounced as /ˈmɪɹ.ə/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: mir·ror.
Breaking mirror into syllables helps with spelling: mir·ror. 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.