How many syllables in “mothballs”?
syllables in "mothballs"
Word details
Syllables
2
mot · hballs
Letters
9
m · o · t · h · b · a · l · l · s
Scrabble
16
points
Scrabble letter values
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About the word “mothballs”
The word “mothballs” contains 2 syllables, divided as mot · hballs. It has 9 letters.
FAQ
How many syllables does "mothballs" have?
"mothballs" has 2 syllables.
How do you divide "mothballs" into syllables?
"mothballs" is divided into syllables as: mot · hballs.
What is the Scrabble score for "mothballs"?
The Scrabble score for "mothballs" is 16 points.
Using “mothballs” in writing
Two-syllable words like "mothballs" (mot · hballs) are the building blocks of iambic rhythm — the most common meter in English poetry. If the stress falls on the second syllable (da-DUM), it forms a perfect iamb, ideal for sonnets and iambic pentameter. It also fits neatly into the 5- or 7-syllable lines of a haiku.
In word games
In Scrabble and Words With Friends, “mothballs” is worth 16 base points before any board multipliers. That's a high-scoring word — prioritize double or triple word score squares to maximize your turn.