bear
nounA large, furry wild animal with thick legs, small ears, and a very short tail.
verbTo carry something from one place to another.
verbTo have or wear something on your body.
verbTo put up with something difficult or painful without complaining.
verbTo have a particular name, title, or mark on something.
verbTo hold something up and support it.
"bear" does not follow standard phonics patterns and should be memorized.
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter 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
Phonics Rule: EAR says /ɛər/ (bear)
EAR can make the /ɛər/ sound, like in 'bear', 'wear', and 'pear'.
EAR sometimes says /ɛər/ (the 'air' sound) in a small set of words: bear, wear, pear, swear, tear (rip).
Tip
A bear has hair — bear, wear, pear!
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.
