whatdoyoucallit
Syllables
what-do-you-call-it
Pronunciation
/wʌt duː juː kɔl ɪt/
Stress
00010
Morphemes
what, do, you, call, it
The phrase 'what-do-you-call-it' is divided into five syllables based on the individual words it comprises. Stress falls on 'call'. It functions as a noun phrase and is a common placeholder when a name is unknown. Syllabification follows the open syllable rule.
Definitions
- 1
A phrase used to refer to something when the speaker does not know or cannot remember its name.
“Pass me that… what-do-you-call-it… the thing for opening bottles.”
“I saw a bird, a little… what-do-you-call-it… with a red head.”
Stress pattern
Primary stress falls on the syllable 'call' (1), while the other syllables are unstressed (0).
Syllables
what — Open syllable, single syllable word.. do — Open syllable, single syllable word.. you — Open syllable, single syllable word.. call — Open syllable, single syllable word, primary stress.. it — Open syllable, single syllable word.
Similar Words
Open Syllable Rule
Each syllable ends in a vowel sound.
Vowel Sound Requirement
Every syllable must contain a vowel sound.
- Colloquialism with pronunciation variations.
- Linking of words in rapid speech.
- Not a single morphologically complex word.
Nearby Words
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