steal

Syllables:
ste·al
2 syllables
steal in syllables

About "steal"

Syllables
2
Letters
5
Language
EN

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/

Listen to Pronunciation

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📖 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
stately 3 sta-te-ly
suicidal 3 sui-cid-al
stall 1 stall
shuttle 1 shuttle

🔗 Related Words

Explore syllable divisions of words related to steal:

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

Frequently Asked Questions About "steal"

How many syllables does "steal" have?

steal has 2 syllables: ste·al. The word is divided into 2 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.

Where is the stress in "steal"?

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

How do you pronounce "steal"?

steal is pronounced as /stiːl/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: ste·al.

Is "steal" easy to spell?

Breaking steal into syllables helps with spelling: ste·al. By pronouncing each syllable separately, you can identify the letters more easily and avoid common spelling mistakes.

Why learn to divide "steal" 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.