The word startle is divided into 1 syllables: startle. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.
The phonetic transcription of startle:
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From Middle English startlen, stertlen, stertyllen (“to rush, stumble along”), from Old English steartlian (“to kick with the foot, struggle, stumble”), equivalent to start + -le. Cognate with Old Norse stirtla (“to hobble, stagger”), Icelandic stirtla (“to straighten up, erect”). Compare also Middle English stertil (“hasty”). More at start.
Understanding how to break down startle into syllables helps with:
Compare startle with related words to understand syllable patterns:
| Word | Syllables | Division |
|---|---|---|
| startle | 1 | startle |
| straddle | 1 | straddle |
| steroidal | 3 | ste-roid-al |
| strudel | 2 | stru-del |
Explore syllable divisions of words related to startle:
startle has 1 syllables: startle. The word is divided into 1 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.
The stress is on the first syllable: startle. This means you emphasize the "startle" part when pronouncing startle.
startle is pronounced as /ˈstɑːt(ə)l/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: startle.
Breaking startle into syllables helps with spelling: startle. 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.