How many syllables in “purposely”?
syllables in "purposely"
Word details
Syllables
4
pur · po · se · ly
Letters
9
p · u · r · p · o · s · e · l · y
Scrabble
16
points
Scrabble letter values
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About the word “purposely”
The word “purposely” contains 4 syllables, divided as pur · po · se · ly. It has 9 letters.
FAQ
How many syllables does "purposely" have?
"purposely" has 4 syllables.
How do you divide "purposely" into syllables?
"purposely" is divided into syllables as: pur · po · se · ly.
What is the Scrabble score for "purposely"?
The Scrabble score for "purposely" is 16 points.
Using “purposely” in writing
Four-syllable words like "purposely" (pur · po · se · ly) span two full iambic feet. In a line of iambic pentameter (10 syllables), a four-syllable word takes nearly half the line, making it a powerful anchor. Use it deliberately — multi-syllable words slow the reader down and add weight.
In word games
In Scrabble and Words With Friends, “purposely” is worth 16 base points before any board multipliers. That's a high-scoring word — prioritize double or triple word score squares to maximize your turn.