trisyllabic
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˌtrɪˈsɪl.ə.bɪk/
KK: /trɪˈsɪləbɪk/
adjective
Definition
This word describes something that has three syllables.
Example
The word 'elephant' is trisyllabic because it has three distinct syllables.
Conversation
Did you know that the word 'banana' is trisyllabic?
Really? I always thought it was just one syllable!
Nope, it has three: ba-na-na!
That's interesting! I guess I need to pay more attention to syllables.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
ternary
triple
threesome
Antonyms
monosyllabic
disyllabic
single
noun
Definition
A word that has three separate sounds or beats when pronounced.
Example
The word 'elephant' is trisyllabic because it has three syllables.
Conversation
Have you ever heard the term trisyllabic?
Yeah, it refers to words with three syllables, right?
Exactly! I find it interesting how some languages have more of them than others.
Root Explanation
Trisyllabic → It is formed from "tri-" (meaning three) and "syllabicus" (from Greek "syllabē", meaning syllable). The word describes a word that has three syllables.
Memory Tip
Think of 'tri-' meaning three, and 'syllable' referring to the parts of a word — that's why trisyllabic means a word with three syllables.
Visually Confused Words
parisyllabic
disyllabic
bisyllabic
syllabic
tetrasyllabic
septisyllabic
plurisyllabic
multisyllabic