How many syllables in “hippopotamus”?
syllables in "hippopotamus"
Word details
Syllables
5
hip · po · po · ta · mus
Letters
12
h · i · p · p · o · p · o · t · a · m · u · s
Scrabble
23
points
Scrabble letter values
Count another word
About the word “hippopotamus”
The word “hippopotamus” contains 5 syllables, divided as hip · po · po · ta · mus. It has 12 letters.
FAQ
How many syllables does "hippopotamus" have?
"hippopotamus" has 5 syllables.
How do you divide "hippopotamus" into syllables?
"hippopotamus" is divided into syllables as: hip · po · po · ta · mus.
What is the Scrabble score for "hippopotamus"?
The Scrabble score for "hippopotamus" is 23 points.
Using “hippopotamus” in writing
"hippopotamus" (hip · po · po · ta · mus) 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, “hippopotamus” is worth 23 base points before any board multipliers. That's a high-scoring word — prioritize double or triple word score squares to maximize your turn.