Ff
Letter F
The letter F makes the /f/ sound, like in 'fish', 'fun', and 'fox'. The upper teeth touch the lower lip.
How this rule works
F is a voiceless labiodental fricative — the upper front teeth rest on the lower lip while air flows through to make the /f/ sound. It is very consistent.
Remember: F is for fish — and fish starts with /f/!
Examples
Words that use this rule
325 words in the SnapPhonics dictionary use this rule. Tap any word to see how it breaks into sounds. Showing the first 200 alphabetically.
afterlifeartifactsbeefbeforebeliefsbreakfastbriefbrieflybutterflycafcafscalfcarefullycheerfulnesschefchiefclownfacecomfortcomfortablecomfortedconfederacyconfederateconfirmconfirmedconfucianconfusedconfusioncounterfeitingdeafdeafnessdefenderdefinitiondwarfedificeelfelf'senforceexemplifiesexemplifyfacefacesfacilitatesfacilitatingfacingfactfactoryfadefadingfailfailingfailsfaintfairfairlyfairnessfaithfakefallfallingfamefamilialfamiliarfamiliesfamilyfamily'sfamousfanfancyfangfarfarawayfarcefarmfarmerfarmingfascinatefascistfastfastenfasterfastestfatfatefatherfather'sfathersfatterfaultfavorfavoritefearfulfearlessfeastfeatherfeaturefeaturedfeaturesfeaturingfebruaryfedfederalfeedfeedingfeelfeelingfeelingsfeelsfeetfellfellowfeltfencefernfestivalfestivefetchfeverfewfictionfidelityfieldfiercefifteenfifthfigfightfighterfightingfigurefigure'sfiguresfilefilialfillfillingfilmfinfinalfinallyfindfinderfindingfinefinerfinestfingerfinishfinishedfinishingfirefirefighterfirmfirmlyfirmnessfirstfirstlyfiscalfishfisherfishingfitnessfittingfivefixfixingfoamfocusedfogfoggyfoilfoldfolderfoldingfoldsfolkfollowfollowedfollowingfondnessfoodfoodsfoolfoolishnessfootfootballforforceforcedforcesforcingforeignforestforgeforgetforgivenessforkformformalformationforming
Exceptions
In 'of', the F sounds like /v/.
What is SnapPhonics?
A phonics reference for teachers, parents and learners. Every English word, broken into the sounds that make it — with audio, syllables, and the rule behind each spelling.
Save words to study lists, build flashcard decks, and scan your own worksheets and books.