SnapPhonics

appears

Pronounceduh-PEERZ

/ə.ˈpɪrz/verb
  1. verbLooks or seems a certain way to someone.

  2. verbComes into sight or becomes visible.

  3. verbBecomes known or obvious to someone's mind.

  4. verbShows up in front of a group or on stage.

  5. verbStands in front of a judge or court to answer questions or defend yourself.

Save to your word list — create a free account

Syllables

appears

2 syllables

Letters

Base word

appear

Related words (same phonics pattern)

Phonics breakdown

a

Phonics Rule: Schwa

Sound“uh”·/ə/

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

Schwa “uh” 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

pp

Phonics Rule: Double Consonant

Sound“one sound”

Two of the same consonant together make just one sound, like the LL in 'ball' or TT in 'butter'.

When two identical consonants appear together, they make just one consonant sound, and the doubling signals a short vowel before it. A common case is the FLOSS rule: a one-syllable word with a short vowel doubles a final f, l, s, or z (off, ball, miss, buzz). Examples: ball, butter, happy, mitten, egg, off.

Tip

Double consonants make one sound — ball, butter, egg!

Examples

ear

Phonics Rule: EAR says “eer”

Sound“eer”·/ɪər/

EAR usually makes the “eer” sound, like in 'ear', 'hear', and 'near'.

EAR most often says “eer” (the 'ear' sound): ear, hear, near, year, clear, dear, fear.

Tip

Hear with your ear — hear, near, year!

Examples

s

Phonics Rule: Plural -S (/z/ sound)

Sound“z”·/z/

After a buzzing sound or a vowel, the plural ending says /z/ — like 'dogs' and 'shoes'.

Put a finger on your throat and say 'zzzz' — you feel a buzz. When the word ends in a buzzing (voiced) sound or a vowel, the plural ending buzzes too and says /z/. This happens whether the word is spelled -s (dogs) or -es (shoes, trees), because in shoes the e is silent and only the s is sounded. Most people never notice they are doing this.

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.

Save words to study lists, build flashcard decks, and scan your own worksheets and books.