steal

How to Split "steal" into Syllables

The word steal is divided into 2 syllables: ste·al. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.

📝 Syllable Breakdown

• ste — 1st syllable
• al — 2nd syllable

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

The phonetic transcription of steal:

• IPA: /stiːl/

📖 Definitions

1. steal (third-person singular simple present steals, present participle stealing, simple past stole, past participle stolen or (nonstandard, colloquial) stole)
2. To withdraw or convey (oneself) clandestinely.

📚 Word Origin & History

Inherited from Middle English stelen, from Old English stelan, from Proto-West Germanic *stelan, from Proto-Germanic *stelaną. Cognate with Bavarian stöhn (“to steal”), Dutch stelen (“to steal”), German, Low German stehlen (“to steal”), Luxembourgish stielen (“to steal”), Danish stjæle (“to steal”), Faroese stjala (“to steal”), Icelandic stela (“to steal”), Norwegian Bokmål stjele (“to steal”), Norwegian Nynorsk stela, stele (“to steal”), Swedish stjäla (...

✓ Why Learn Syllable Division?

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

Word	Syllables	Division
steal	2	ste·al
stile	2	sti-le
swaddle	1	swaddle
steel	1	steel
skedaddle	2	ske-daddle

🔗 Related Words

Explore syllable divisions of words related to steal:

Ste, stem, step, stet, stew, stead, steak, steam.