S

How many syllables in “preliminary”?

5

syllables in "preliminary"

preliminary
database

Word details

Syllables

5

pre · li · mi · na · ry

Letters

11

p · r · e · l · i · m · i · n · a · r · y

Scrabble

18

points

Common word

Scrabble letter values

p3
r1
e1
l1
i1
m3
i1
n1
a1
r1
y4

Count another word

About the word “preliminary

The word preliminary contains 5 syllables, divided as pre · li · mi · na · ry. It has 11 letters.

FAQ

How many syllables does "preliminary" have?

"preliminary" has 5 syllables.

How do you divide "preliminary" into syllables?

"preliminary" is divided into syllables as: pre · li · mi · na · ry.

What is the Scrabble score for "preliminary"?

The Scrabble score for "preliminary" is 18 points.

Using “preliminary” in writing

"preliminary" (pre · li · mi · na · 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, preliminary is worth 18 base points before any board multipliers. That's a high-scoring word — prioritize double or triple word score squares to maximize your turn.

Related articles