About "obey"
How to Split "obey" into Syllables
The word obey is divided into 2 syllables: o·bey. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.
📝 Syllable Breakdown
- o — 1st syllable
- bey — 2nd syllable
🔊 Pronunciation Guide
The phonetic transcription of obey:
- IPA: /əʊˈbeɪ/
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📖 Definitions
- obey (third-person singular simple present obeys, present participle obeying, simple past and past participle obeyed)
- “obey”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
📚 Word Origin & History
From Middle English obeyen, from Anglo-Norman obeir, obeier et al., Old French obeir, from Latin oboediō (also obēdiō (“to listen to, harken, usually in extended sense, obey, be subject to, serve”)), from ob- (“before, near”) + audiō (“to hear”). Compare audient. In Latin, ob + audire would have been expected to become Classical Latin *obūdiō (compare in + claudō becoming inclūdō), but it has been theorized that the usual law court associations of the word for obeying encour...
✓ Why Learn Syllable Division?
Understanding how to break down obey 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 obey with related words to understand syllable patterns:
| Word | Syllables | Division |
|---|---|---|
| obey | 2 | o·bey |
| opp | 1 | opp |
| op | 1 | op |
| oboe | 2 | o-boe |
| obi | 1 | obi |
🔗 Related Words
Explore syllable divisions of words related to obey:
obese, Oberon, obelisk, Oberlin, obesity, obedient, obeisant, obedience.