careful
adjTrying hard to avoid mistakes or accidents.
adjDoing something with lots of attention to detail.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Hard C
C makes the /k/ sound before A, O, U, or a consonant, like in 'cat' and 'cup'.
The letter C makes the hard /k/ sound when followed by A, O, U, or a consonant. This is the default C sound. Examples: cat, cup, coat, cold, crab, class.
Tip
C says K before A, O, U — cat, cup, coat!
Examples
Phonics Rule: ARE says /ɛər/
ARE at the end of a word makes the /ɛər/ sound, like in 'care' and 'share'.
ARE says /ɛər/ (the same 'air' sound as AIR): care, share, bare, scare, square, compare. The E is part of the team, not a magic E.
Tip
ARE says air — care, share, square!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Suffix -FUL
Adding -FUL means 'full of', like 'helpful' (full of help) and 'beautiful'.
The suffix -ful means 'full of' or 'having the quality of'. Note: the suffix is spelled with one L (-ful), not two (-full).
Tip
FUL means full of — helpful is full of help!
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.
