What is a closed syllable?

A closed syllable is a type of syllable that ends in a consonant sound, rather than a vowel sound. This typically occurs when a vowel is followed by one or more consonants. Because the syllable is "closed" off by the consonant, the vowel sound is typically short.

Closed syllables are common in many languages, including English. For example, in the word "cat," the "a" is a closed syllable because it is followed by a consonant. In contrast, an open syllable, such as the "ca" in the word "table," ends with a vowel sound and is not closed off by a consonant.

Understanding closed syllables is important for reading and spelling, as it can help individuals learn to correctly divide words into syllables and pronounce them accurately.