boil
verbTo heat something in hot water until bubbles appear and steam rises.
verbTo cook food in very hot water.
verbWhen a liquid starts to bubble and turn into steam because it is very hot.
nounA painful, infected lump on your skin filled with pus.
verbTo feel very uncomfortable because you are too hot.
verbTo feel very angry or excited inside.
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: OI Diphthong
OI makes the /ɔɪ/ sound in the middle of a word, like in 'oil' and 'coin'.
A diphthong is a vowel sound that glides from one sound to another. OI glides from /ɔ/ to /ɪ/. Use OI in the middle of a word and OY at the end.
Tip
OI in the middle — coin and point!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter L
The letter L makes the /l/ sound, like in 'lamp', 'leg', and 'lip'. The tongue tip touches behind the upper teeth.
L is a voiced lateral approximant — the tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth while air flows around the sides. Double L (ll) makes the same /l/ sound.
Tip
L is for lamp — light it up with /l/!
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.
