How many syllables in “illegitimate”?
syllables in "illegitimate"
Word details
Syllables
5
ill · egi · tim · ate
Letters
12
i · l · l · e · g · i · t · i · m · a · t · e
Scrabble
15
points
Scrabble letter values
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About the word “illegitimate”
The word “illegitimate” contains 5 syllables, divided as ill · egi · tim · ate. It has 12 letters.
FAQ
How many syllables does "illegitimate" have?
"illegitimate" has 5 syllables.
How do you divide "illegitimate" into syllables?
"illegitimate" is divided into syllables as: ill · egi · tim · ate.
What is the Scrabble score for "illegitimate"?
The Scrabble score for "illegitimate" is 15 points.
Using “illegitimate” in writing
"illegitimate" (ill · egi · tim · ate) 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, “illegitimate” is worth 15 base points before any board multipliers. That's a high-scoring word — prioritize double or triple word score squares to maximize your turn.