Kk
Letter K
The letter K makes the /k/ sound, like in 'kite', 'kit', and 'king'.
How this rule works
K always makes the /k/ sound. It is used before E, I, and Y where C would make an /s/ sound instead. K is silent before N at the start of a word (knife, know).
Remember: K is for kite — and kite starts with /k/!
Examples
Words that use this rule
210 words in the SnapPhonics dictionary use this rule. Tap any word to see how it breaks into sounds. Showing the first 200 alphabetically.
awakebakebakedbakerbakingbarkbarkingbekindbikebookbookcasebookedbookingbooksbrakebrakedbrakesbrakingbreakbreakablebreakerbreakfastbreaksbrokebrokenbrookbrushworkcakecake'scakescheekchokeclerkcloakcookcook'scookedcookercookiecookscreakcroakcrookdarkdarkerdarklydarknessdorkevokefakeflakeforkhawkhikehikerhikinghookjakejerkjokejokeskalekeenkeenlykeepkeeperkeepingkeepskegkeptkeykeyboardkickkidkidskillkilogramkilogramskilometrekindkinderkindlykindnesskinetickingking'skingdomkingdom'skinshipkissedkitkitchenkiteboardkitelikekittenklamkoreankoreaslakelarkleaklikablelikelikedlikelylikenesslikeslokatelooklookedlookinglooksmakemakesmakingmarkmarketmarksmeeklymetalworkmetalworkingmikemilkshakemistakemistakesmotorbikemurkynookokokayparkparkingpeakpeakspeekpeekingperkpokepumpkinremarkremarkablesakescrapbookseekshakeshakesshakingsharkshooksidewalksleekslowpokesmokesmokersnakesnakebitesneaksneakedsnowflakesoaksparkspeakspeakerspeakingspikespokespokenspookystakestalkstalksstorkstrokestrokedsupermarkettaketakentakestalktalkedtalkingtextbooktooktriketurkeyunkindunlikeunlikelywakewakeswalkwalkedwalkingwatermarkwatermarkingwatermarksweakweakestweaklyweakness
Exceptions
K is silent before N: knife, knock, know, knee.
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.