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Word Analysis

hell-for-leather

Complete linguistic analysis including syllable division, pronunciation, morphology, and definitions.

4 syllables
16 characters
English (US)
Enriched
4syllables

hellforleather

Linguistic Analysis

Syllables

hell-for-leath-er

Pronunciation

/hɛl fɔr ˈlɛðər/

Stress

0011

Morphemes

hell, for, leather

The word 'hell-for-leather' is a compound adverb syllabified as hell-for-leath-er, with primary stress on the final syllable. It's formed from Old English components and functions as an intensifier indicating great speed or energy.

Definitions

adverb
  1. 1

    With great speed, energy, or enthusiasm.

    “He drove hell-for-leather down the highway.”

    syn:full tiltat full speedflat out
    ant:slowlycautiously

Stress pattern

Primary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('er'). The first three syllables are unstressed.

Syllables

4
hell/hɛl/
for/fɔr/
leath/lɛθ/
er/ər/

hell — Open syllable, vowel-final, unstressed.. for — Open syllable, vowel-final, unstressed.. leath — Closed syllable, consonant-final, unstressed.. er — Open syllable, vowel-final, stressed.

Word Parts

root

hell, for, leather

Compound idiom, each component has Old English origins.

Similar Words

but­ter­cupwa­ter­fallback­door

Vowel-C Syllable Division

Syllables are divided after a vowel sound followed by a consonant sound.

Consonant-Vowel Syllable Division

Syllables are divided before a vowel sound preceded by a consonant sound.

  • The compound nature of the phrase is a key consideration. The 'ea' in 'leather' could be a diphthong, but the 'th' sound necessitates a separate syllable.
Analysis by gemma3:27b · 6/13/2025

Nearby Words

17 words
hell-for-leather(current)
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