The word wide is divided into 2 syllables: wi·de. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.
The phonetic transcription of wide:
Note: Audio requires JavaScript enabled
From Middle English wid, wyd, from Old English wīd (“wide, vast, broad, long; distant, far”), from Proto-Germanic *wīdaz, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁weydʰh₁- (“to divide, separate”), a dissimilated univerbation from *dwi- (“apart, asunder, in two”) + *dʰeh₁- (“to do, put, place”). wīd + -e
Understanding how to break down wide into syllables helps with:
Compare wide with related words to understand syllable patterns:
| Word | Syllables | Division |
|---|---|---|
| wide | 2 | wi·de |
| witted | 2 | witt-ed |
| weedy | 2 | wee-dy |
| Waite | 2 | wai-te |
| whit | 1 | whit |
Explore syllable divisions of words related to wide:
widen, widow, width, widget, widener, widgeon, widower, widowhood.
wide has 2 syllables: wi·de. The word is divided into 2 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.
The stress is on the first syllable: wi. This means you emphasize the "wi" part when pronouncing wide.
wide is pronounced as /waɪd/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: wi·de.
Breaking wide into syllables helps with spelling: wi·de. 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.