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
183 words in the SnapPhonics dictionary use this rule. Tap any word to see how it breaks into sounds.
awakebakebakedbakerbakingbarkbarkingbekindbikebookbookcasebookedbookingbooksbrakedbrakesbrakingbreakbreakablebreakerbreakfastbreaksbrokebrokenbrookcakecake'scakescheekchokeclerkcloakcookcookedcookercookiecookscreakcroakcrookdarkdarkerdarklydarknessdorkevokefakeflakeforkhawkhikehikerhikinghookjakejerkjokejokeskalekeenkeenlykeepkeeperkeepskegkeptkeykeyboardkickkidkidskillkilogramskindkinderkindlykindnesskingking'skingdomkingdom'skinshipkitkitchenkittenkoreankoreaslakelarkleaklikablelikelikedlikelylikenesslikeslooklookedlookinglooksmakemakesmakingmarkmarketmarksmeeklymetalworkingmilkshakemistakemistakesmotorbikemurkynookokokayparkparkingpeakpeekperkpokeremarkremarkablesakeseekshakeshakingsharkshooksleekslowpokesmokesmokersnakesneaksneakedsnowflakesoaksparkspeakspeakerspeakingspikespokestakestalksstorkstrokesupermarkettaketakentakestalktalkedtalkingtooktriketurkeyunkindunlikeunlikelywakewakeswalkwalkedwatermarkwatermarkingwatermarksweakweakestweaklyweaknessweekweeklyweekswokeworkworkedworkerworkingworksyak
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.