boat
nounA small craft that floats on water and is moved by oars, a motor, or sails.
verbTo travel across water in a boat.
nounA shallow jug used to pour sauces or gravy over food.
nounA submarine that travels under the water.
Syllables
1 syllable
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: 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
Phonics Rule: Letter T
The letter T makes the /t/ sound, like in 'top', 'tap', and 'ten'. The tongue tip taps behind the upper teeth.
T is a voiceless alveolar stop. The tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth and releases with a puff of air. Double T (tt) makes the same /t/ sound.
Tip
T taps — touch your tongue to make /t/!
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.