despite

Syllables:
de·spi·te
3 syllables
despite in syllables

About "despite"

Syllables
3
Letters
7
Language
EN

How to Split "despite" into Syllables

The word despite is divided into 3 syllables: de·spi·te. Understanding this syllable division is essential for correct pronunciation and spelling.

📝 Syllable Breakdown

  • de — 1st syllable
  • spi — 2nd syllable
  • te — 3rd syllable

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

The phonetic transcription of despite:

  • IPA: /dɪˈspaɪt/

Listen to Pronunciation

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📖 Definitions

  1. The terms despite of, despite that, and in despite of are archaic, nonstandard, or almost universally considered incorrect.
  2. in spite of, maugre; see also Thesaurus:despite

📚 Word Origin & History

The noun is derived from Middle English despit, dispit, from Old French despit, from Latin dēspectum (“looking down on”), from dēspiciō (“to look down, despise”). The preposition is derived from Middle English dispit, itself derived from the phrase in dispit of (in despite of). Compare typologically Russian несмотря́ на (nesmotrjá na) (< смотре́ть (smotrétʹ)); невзира́я на (nevzirája na) (< взира́ть (vzirátʹ)), презре́в (prezrév) (...

✓ Why Learn Syllable Division?

Understanding how to break down despite into syllables helps with:

  • Correct pronunciation — Knowing syllable structure ensures accurate speech
  • Improved spelling — Breaking words into chunks makes them easier to remember and write
  • Reading fluency — Recognizing syllable patterns speeds up reading comprehension
  • Poetry and lyrics — Syllable counting is essential for meter and rhythm
  • Language learning — Non-native speakers benefit from syllable awareness

📊 Similar Words Comparison

Compare despite with related words to understand syllable patterns:

Word Syllables Division
despite 3 de·spi·te
dogsbody 2 dogsbo-dy
dispute 3 di-spu-te
dissipated 4 dis-si-pat-ed
despot 2 de-spot

🔗 Related Words

Explore syllable divisions of words related to despite:

desk, desalt, descry, desert, design, desire, desist, despot.

Frequently Asked Questions About "despite"

How many syllables does "despite" have?

despite has 3 syllables: de·spi·te. The word is divided into 3 distinct sound units that make up the complete pronunciation.

Where is the stress in "despite"?

The stress is on the first syllable: de. This means you emphasize the "de" part when pronouncing despite.

How do you pronounce "despite"?

despite is pronounced as /dɪˈspaɪt/ (IPA notation). The syllables are divided as: de·spi·te.

Is "despite" easy to spell?

Breaking despite into syllables helps with spelling: de·spi·te. By pronouncing each syllable separately, you can identify the letters more easily and avoid common spelling mistakes.

Why learn to divide "despite" into syllables?

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.