bureau
nounA desk with a cover and small shelves above it for keeping papers.
nounA piece of furniture with drawers for storing clothes.
nounAn office where people do clerical or professional work.
nounA government office or department that handles official business.
nounAn organization that collects or gives out information and news.
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: URE says /ʊər/
URE makes the /ʊər/ sound, like in 'sure', 'cure', and 'pure'.
URE is an r-controlled team saying /ʊər/ or /jʊər/: sure, cure, pure, secure, mature. (Different from the -ture suffix in 'picture'.)
Tip
Are you sure it's pure — sure, cure, pure!
Examples
Phonics Rule: AU Vowel Team
When A and U are together, they make the /ɔː/ sound, like in 'author' and 'pause'.
The vowel team AU makes the /ɔː/ sound (same as AW). It appears in the middle of words. Examples: author, pause, fault, haunt, cause.
Tip
AU says aw — author, pause, fault!
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.
