SnapPhonicsSnapPhonics
All phonics rules
Uoo

Open Syllable U — “oo” (Long U)

In an open syllable, when U follows L, R, S, or J it says 'oo' instead of 'yoo' — like in 'su-per' and 'tru-ly'.

How this rule works

Same open-syllable pattern as the companion Open Syllable U (“yoo”) rule, but when the lone U follows L, R, S, or J it drops the Y-glide and says pure “oo” (su-per, ru-by, tru-ly). Same letter, different sound depending on what comes before it.

Remember: After L, R, S, J — U says oo, not yoo!

Examples

supertruthrubylucidjudo

Words that use this rule

73 words in the SnapPhonics dictionary use this rule. Tap any word to see how it breaks into sounds.

actuallyaudiovisualbluesbuddhistcluesconstitutedconstitutescrucialdutyenumerateeventualevolutionexudesgnugraduationgrandeurilluminateilluminatesincludedincludesincludingindubitablyinstitutionalinstitutionalizationinstitutionalizeintellectualintroducedintroducingissuedissuesjudojulylucidlunalunarnuancednuclearnumerousnumismaticoeuvreopportunityplumagepollutionpresumablypresumedproducedprunespursuedrevolutionrubyrudestrulersituationsolutionspiritualstudentstudentsstupidsubsumessupersupercalifragilisticexpialidocioussuperficiessuperherosupermarketsupermassivesupernaturaltrulytruthtruthfultruthingtualunusualvirtuosity

Exceptions

Default long U with Y-glide is long_vowel_u.

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.

Create a free account

SnapPhonics — see how any English word breaks into sounds.