birthday
nounThe day each year when you remember the day you were born.
nounA party held to celebrate the day someone was born.
nounThe day each year when you remember the day something was made or started.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
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: R-Controlled IR
When R comes after I, it makes the /ɜːr/ sound, like in 'bird' and 'first'.
IR makes the same /ɜːr/ sound as ER and UR. There's no difference in pronunciation — only in spelling.
Tip
The bird in a shirt says /ɜːr/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: TH Digraph (Unvoiced)
TH can make a soft sound /θ/, like in 'think' and 'bath'. Just air, no buzz!
The unvoiced TH /θ/ is the quiet, breathy version. Your throat doesn't vibrate. Stick your tongue between your teeth and blow air.
Tip
Unvoiced TH is quiet — think with three teeth!
Examples
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
Phonics Rule: AY Vowel Team
AY at the end of a word says long A, like in 'play' and 'day'.
The vowel team 'ay' makes the long A sound /eɪ/ and typically appears at the end of a word or syllable. It's the end-of-word partner to 'ai'.
Tip
AY at the end of the day says long A!
Examples
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