How many syllables in “nightmare”?
syllables in "nightmare"
Word details
Syllables
2
night · mare
Letters
9
n · i · g · h · t · m · a · r · e
Scrabble
15
points
Scrabble letter values
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About the word “nightmare”
The word “nightmare” contains 2 syllables, divided as night · mare. It has 9 letters.
FAQ
How many syllables does "nightmare" have?
"nightmare" has 2 syllables.
How do you divide "nightmare" into syllables?
"nightmare" is divided into syllables as: night · mare.
What is the Scrabble score for "nightmare"?
The Scrabble score for "nightmare" is 15 points.
Using “nightmare” in writing
Two-syllable words like "nightmare" (night · mare) 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, “nightmare” 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.