How many syllables in “painful”?
syllables in "painful"
Word details
Syllables
2
pain · ful
Letters
7
p · a · i · n · f · u · l
Scrabble
12
points
Scrabble letter values
Count another word
About the word “painful”
The word “painful” contains 2 syllables, divided as pain · ful. It has 7 letters.
FAQ
How many syllables does "painful" have?
"painful" has 2 syllables.
How do you divide "painful" into syllables?
"painful" is divided into syllables as: pain · ful.
What is the Scrabble score for "painful"?
The Scrabble score for "painful" is 12 points.
Using “painful” in writing
Two-syllable words like "painful" (pain · ful) 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, “painful” is worth 12 base points before any board multipliers. A solid mid-range score. Landing a high-value letter on a double letter square will push your total higher.