How many syllables in “desperately”?
syllables in "desperately"
Word details
Syllables
5
de · spe · ra · te · ly
Letters
11
d · e · s · p · e · r · a · t · e · l · y
Scrabble
17
points
Scrabble letter values
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About the word “desperately”
The word “desperately” contains 5 syllables, divided as de · spe · ra · te · ly. It has 11 letters.
FAQ
How many syllables does "desperately" have?
"desperately" has 5 syllables.
How do you divide "desperately" into syllables?
"desperately" is divided into syllables as: de · spe · ra · te · ly.
What is the Scrabble score for "desperately"?
The Scrabble score for "desperately" is 17 points.
Using “desperately” in writing
"desperately" (de · spe · ra · te · ly) has five syllables — exactly one full line of a haiku's 5-7-5 structure. That means this single word could stand alone as the opening or closing line of a haiku. In longer verse, five-syllable words create a slow, deliberate pace.
In word games
In Scrabble and Words With Friends, “desperately” is worth 17 base points before any board multipliers. That's a high-scoring word — prioritize double or triple word score squares to maximize your turn.