What does penult mean?
A penult is the second-to-last syllable of a word, positioned immediately before its final syllable. For example, in “photograph,” the syllables are pho-to-graph, making “to” the penult. The term can also refer more broadly to the next-to-last position in a sequence, though its most common use concerns syllables and poetry. Penult is more formal than the everyday expression “second-to-last syllable,” and it appears frequently in discussions of pronunciation, stress, rhythm, and word games. Its usefulness lies in giving a precise name to a position that is easy to identify informally but awkward to describe repeatedly. The word comes from Latin terminology meaning “the last but one,” reflecting its place just before the end of a word.
nounThe penult is the second-to-last syllable of a word. It is also called the penultimate syllable.
- The second-to-last syllable of a word.
"The penult of “photograph” is the syllable “to.”"
"The penult of “photograph” is the syllable “to.”"
"When the penult is stressed and the final syllable is reduced, the word can sound especially emphatic."
The standard plural is formed by adding “-s,” though the word is uncommon in ordinary prose.
"The final two penults in the sequence were reserved for the two finalists."
Penult means “almost last”: the syllable immediately before a word’s ending.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does penult come from?
The word derives from Latin penultimus, a variant of paenultimus, meaning “second last” or “the last but one.” Latin paenultimus was formed from paene, meaning “almost,” and ultimus, meaning “last.” The term entered English through Latin and French usage in the early modern period.
Related word forms
How penult is actually used
This is a formal and specialized term, especially associated with phonetics, prosody, and word games. In everyday speech, “second-to-last syllable” is usually clearer.
Easily confused with penult
“Penult” is a noun naming the second-to-last syllable, whereas “penultimate” can be an adjective meaning second-to-last or a noun naming that position.