How many syllables in “motherly”?
syllables in "motherly"
Word details
Syllables
3
mot · her · ly
Letters
8
m · o · t · h · e · r · l · y
Scrabble
16
points
Scrabble letter values
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About the word “motherly”
The word “motherly” contains 3 syllables, divided as mot · her · ly. It has 8 letters.
FAQ
How many syllables does "motherly" have?
"motherly" has 3 syllables.
How do you divide "motherly" into syllables?
"motherly" is divided into syllables as: mot · her · ly.
What is the Scrabble score for "motherly"?
The Scrabble score for "motherly" is 16 points.
Using “motherly” in writing
Three-syllable words like "motherly" (mot · her · ly) create a rolling, flowing rhythm in verse. Depending on where the stress lands, they can form dactylic (DUM-da-da) or anapestic (da-da-DUM) feet — common in limericks, ballads, and song lyrics. In haiku, a single three-syllable word covers more than half of a short line.
In word games
In Scrabble and Words With Friends, “motherly” 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.