SnapPhonics

backpack

PronouncedBAK-pak

/ˈbæk.ˌpæk/noun

  1. nounA bag with straps that you wear on your back to carry things.

  2. verbTo travel around carrying only a small bag and spending very little money.

  3. verbTo walk and camp in wild places while carrying your gear on your back.

Save to your word list — create a free account

Syllables

backpack

2 syllables

Letters

Related words (same phonics pattern)

checkboxesknockingpickedunpackingpackssnacks

Phonics breakdown

b

Phonics Rule: Letter B

Sound“b”·/b/

The letter B makes the /b/ sound, like in 'bat', 'big', and 'bug'. Both lips press together then release.

B is a voiced bilabial stop — both lips press together and release with voice. It always makes the /b/ sound except when silent at the end of words after m (as in 'lamb' or 'comb').

Tip

B looks like a bat — and bat starts with /b/!

Examples

a

Phonics Rule: Short A

Sound“a”·/æ/

The letter A makes a short sound, like in 'cat' and 'bat'.

When the letter A appears in a closed syllable (a syllable that ends with a consonant), it usually makes the short A sound “a”. This is one of the first vowel sounds students learn.

Tip

A says “a” like a cat that sat on a mat.

Examples

ck

Phonics Rule: CK Digraph

Sound“k”·/k/

CK together makes the /k/ sound, like in 'back' and 'kick'.

The digraph 'ck' appears right after a short vowel at the end of a one-syllable word. If the vowel is short, use CK. If the vowel is long, use just K (like 'make').

Tip

Short vowel? CK comes quick — back, kick, duck!

Examples

p

Phonics Rule: Letter P

Sound“p”·/p/

The letter P makes the /p/ sound, like in 'pan', 'pig', and 'pot'. Both lips press together then pop open.

P is a voiceless bilabial stop — both lips press together and release with a puff of air but no voice. It pairs with B (which is the voiced version of the same mouth position).

Tip

P pops open — press your lips and let it POP!

Examples

a

Phonics Rule: Short A

Sound“a”·/æ/

The letter A makes a short sound, like in 'cat' and 'bat'.

When the letter A appears in a closed syllable (a syllable that ends with a consonant), it usually makes the short A sound “a”. This is one of the first vowel sounds students learn.

Tip

A says “a” like a cat that sat on a mat.

Examples

ck

Phonics Rule: CK Digraph

Sound“k”·/k/

CK together makes the /k/ sound, like in 'back' and 'kick'.

The digraph 'ck' appears right after a short vowel at the end of a one-syllable word. If the vowel is short, use CK. If the vowel is long, use just K (like 'make').

Tip

Short vowel? CK comes quick — back, kick, duck!

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.

Create a free account