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syllabically

syllabically

1 7.7
To say words one part at a time
  • adverb
  • /sɪˈlæbɪkli/
  • Specialized
: silábicamente
  • To improve her pronunciation, the student learned to break down words syllabically.

Examples

  • The created lyrics are syllabically correct to the corresponding music notes.

    Academic text (2013)
  • In music class, we practiced singing syllabically to match the lyrics with the melody.

  • [syllabically]

  • [syllabically]

  • [syllabically]

  • The teacher emphasized that the poem needed to be read syllabically to feel its rhythm.

Surface Forms

syllabically positive

Morphology

syllabically = syllabic (transparent) = syllable + ic + ally

Formed from the adjective 'syllabic' with the adverbial suffix '-ally'; the meaning 'in a manner relating to syllables' follows directly from the base.

Etymology

The word syllabically comes from syllable, which long ago meant 'a unit of sound held together'. So, to speak or sing syllabically is to do it 'by syllables', for example pronouncing each syllable clearly.