The word tomboy is divided into 2 syllables: tom·boy. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.
The phonetic transcription of tomboy:
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From tom + boy. First attested in Ralph Roister Doister (published 1567, written circa 1552), where it is used to describe a boisterous girl; the OED says the citation is however "generally taken" to mean a boisterous boy, and says that a use in The Old Law (published 1656, thought to have been written circa 1599) "certainly" means a boy: "must young court-tits / play tomboys' tricks with her?" By 1579 it was attested in the meaning "an immodest woman", and by no later than 1592 it had develo...
Understanding how to break down tomboy into syllables helps with:
Compare tomboy with related words to understand syllable patterns:
| Word | Syllables | Division |
|---|---|---|
| tomboy | 2 | tom·boy |
| Thimphu | 1 | thimphu |
| temp | 1 | temp |
| Thimbu | 2 | thim-bu |
| Tempe | 2 | tem-pe |
Explore syllable divisions of words related to tomboy:
tomboy has 2 syllables: tom·boy. The word is divided into 2 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.
The stress is on the first syllable: tom. This means you emphasize the "tom" part when pronouncing tomboy.
tomboy is pronounced as /ˈtɒm.bɔɪ/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: tom·boy.
Breaking tomboy into syllables helps with spelling: tom·boy. 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.