The word cancer is divided into 2 syllables: canc·er. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.
The phonetic transcription of cancer:
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Borrowed from Latin cancer (“crab”), a calque of Ancient Greek καρκίνος (karkínos, “crab; ulcer; cancer”) (possibly cognate), applied to cancerous tumors because the enlarged veins resembled the legs of a crab. Doublet of canker and chancre. Ultimately from Latin cancer (“crab”). From English cancer. Borrowed from Latin cancer. Borrowed from Latin cancer. Doublet of chancre, which was inherited, and cancre. From Proto-Italic *kankros, dissimilation of Proto-Italic *karkros...
Understanding how to break down cancer into syllables helps with:
Compare cancer with related words to understand syllable patterns:
| Word | Syllables | Division |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 2 | canc·er |
| chancier | 3 | chan-ci-er |
| censure | 3 | cen-su-re |
| chancery | 3 | chan-ce-ry |
| conjure | 3 | con-ju-re |
Explore syllable divisions of words related to cancer:
cancer has 2 syllables: canc·er. The word is divided into 2 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.
The stress is on the first syllable: canc. This means you emphasize the "canc" part when pronouncing cancer.
cancer is pronounced as /ˈkænsə/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: canc·er.
Breaking cancer into syllables helps with spelling: canc·er. 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.