lighterthanair
The word 'lighter-than-air' is divided into four syllables: light-er-than-air, with primary stress on 'light'. It's a compound adjective formed from a root, a comparative suffix, and function/root words, following standard English syllabification rules.
Definitions
- 1
Having a density less than that of air; buoyant.
“The balloon was lighter-than-air and floated effortlessly.”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the first syllable, 'light'.
Syllables
light — Open syllable, stressed, onset-rime structure.. er — Closed syllable, unstressed, consonant-vowel structure.. than — Open syllable, unstressed, onset-rime structure.. air — Open syllable, unstressed, onset-rime structure.
Word Parts
Onset-Rime
Syllables are divided based on the onset (initial consonant sound(s)) and rime (vowel sound and any following consonants).
Vowel Nucleus
Each syllable must contain a vowel sound (nucleus).
Comparative Suffix Rule
The '-er' suffix typically forms a separate syllable.
- The phrase 'than air' is a fixed expression.
- Regional variations in vowel pronunciation may occur.
Nearby Words
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