closed syllable
- noun
- /kloʊzd ˈsɪl.ə.bəl/
- Specialized
:
sílaba cerrada
- In the word 'cat,' the 'a' is in a closed syllable, which makes it short.
Examples
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A closed syllable usually contains a single vowel followed by one or more consonants.
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Many English words are divided into closed syllable and open syllable types.
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A closed syllable ends with a consonant.
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In the word 'cat', the closed syllable makes the vowel short.
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In a closed syllable, the vowel is usually short, as in the word 'cat'.
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The word 'fast' contains a closed syllable because it ends with the consonant 't'.
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When teaching phonics, emphasize that closed syllables typically have a short vowel sound.
Antonyms
How Complex
- Specialized
- Specialized
66
1.1
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
closed + syllable
The meaning 'a syllable that ends with a consonant' is directly and compositionally derivable from 'closed' (shut/ended) + 'syllable' (basic sound unit); a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer that the syllable is 'closed' by a consonant. Although it is a technical phonology term, the relation is literal and mirrors similar terminology in other languages, making the concept immediately comprehensible.
Etymology
Closed syllable gives a clear picture: a vowel is followed by a consonant that 'closes' the syllable, so the word closed means the end is shut. Because the vowel is shut inside, it usually has a 'short vowel', so the name explains the sound.