SnapPhonics

abroad

uhb-RAWD/əb.ˈrɔd/adverb

In or to a country far away from where you live.

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Syllables

abroad

2 syllables

Letters

Related words (same phonics pattern)

Phonics breakdown

a

Phonics Rule: Schwa

In unstressed syllables, vowels often make a lazy 'uh' sound called schwa, like the A in 'about'.

Schwa /ə/ is the most common vowel sound in English. Any vowel letter can make the schwa sound when it's in an unstressed syllable. It sounds like a quick, lazy 'uh'.

Tip

Schwa is lazy — any vowel can say 'uh' when it's not stressed!

Examples

br

Phonics Rule: BR Blend

B and R blend together — you hear both sounds! Like in 'brown' and 'bring'.

The blend BR combines /b/ and /r/ spoken quickly together.

Examples

oa

Phonics Rule: OA Vowel Team

When O and A are together, they say long O, like in 'boat' and 'road'.

The vowel team 'oa' reliably makes the long O sound /oʊ/. This is one of the more consistent vowel teams.

Tip

O and A in a boat — O does the talking!

Examples

d

Phonics Rule: Letter D

The letter D makes the /d/ sound, like in 'dog', 'day', and 'dig'. The tongue tip touches behind the upper teeth.

D is a voiced alveolar stop. The tongue tip touches the ridge just behind the upper front teeth, then releases with voice. It reliably makes the /d/ sound in almost all positions.

Tip

D is for dog — and dog starts with /d/!

Examples

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.

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