How many syllables in “penitentiary”?
syllables in "penitentiary"
Word details
Syllables
5
pe · ni · ten · tia · ry
Letters
12
p · e · n · i · t · e · n · t · i · a · r · y
Scrabble
17
points
Scrabble letter values
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About the word “penitentiary”
The word “penitentiary” contains 5 syllables, divided as pe · ni · ten · tia · ry. It has 12 letters.
FAQ
How many syllables does "penitentiary" have?
"penitentiary" has 5 syllables.
How do you divide "penitentiary" into syllables?
"penitentiary" is divided into syllables as: pe · ni · ten · tia · ry.
What is the Scrabble score for "penitentiary"?
The Scrabble score for "penitentiary" is 17 points.
Using “penitentiary” in writing
"penitentiary" (pe · ni · ten · tia · ry) has five syllables — exactly one full line of a haiku's 5-7-5 structure. That means this single word could stand alone as the opening or closing line of a haiku. In longer verse, five-syllable words create a slow, deliberate pace.
In word games
In Scrabble and Words With Friends, “penitentiary” 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.