Unstressed syllable
A syllable in a polysyllabic word that does not receive stress. In English, vowels in
unstressed syllables often become weaker, quicker, and less clear than vowels in
stressed syllables. For example, in the word ˈdictionary, the !rst syllable is stressed,
and the last three syllables are unstressed.
Related Glossary Terms
Index
Section 5 - The Vowels of American English
Section 8 - Syllables and Word Stress
Section 10 - Thought Groups and Prominence
Polysyllabic word, Reduced syllable, Stressed syllable, Word stress
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