How many syllables in “painfully”?
syllables in "painfully"
Word details
Syllables
3
pain · ful · ly
Letters
9
p · a · i · n · f · u · l · l · y
Scrabble
17
points
Scrabble letter values
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About the word “painfully”
The word “painfully” contains 3 syllables, divided as pain · ful · ly. It has 9 letters.
FAQ
How many syllables does "painfully" have?
"painfully" has 3 syllables.
How do you divide "painfully" into syllables?
"painfully" is divided into syllables as: pain · ful · ly.
What is the Scrabble score for "painfully"?
The Scrabble score for "painfully" is 17 points.
Using “painfully” in writing
Three-syllable words like "painfully" (pain · ful · 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, “painfully” is worth 17 base points before any board multipliers. That's a high-scoring word — prioritize double or triple word score squares to maximize your turn.