Open syllable

An open syllable is a syllable which lacks a coda, that is, which is not closed by a consonant. A syllable which is not open is a closed syllable. An open syllable contains an onset ((an) initial consonant(s)) and a short or long vowel. The rhyme of an open syllable does not branch, it only contains the nucleus (or, alternatively, peak). The English words she [ʃiː], go [goʊ], and schwa [ʃwɑː] exemplify open syllables.