cartridge
nounA small container of ink or powder that you put inside a printer or pen.
nounA removable case that holds a computer game or program and plugs into a console or computer.
nounA metal case holding a bullet and gunpowder, used as a single round of ammunition.
nounA replaceable part inside a tap or shower that controls how much water comes out and how hot it is.
nounA removable part that fits into a machine and can be swapped for another one just like it.
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: R-Controlled AR
When R comes after A, it changes the sound to /ɑːr/, like in 'car' and 'star'.
When A is followed by R, the R 'bosses' the vowel and changes its sound. Instead of short A or long A, you hear /ɑːr/. R-controlled vowels are sometimes called 'Bossy R'.
Tip
Bossy R takes the car to the farm!
Examples
Phonics Rule: TR Blend
T and R blend together — you hear both sounds! Like in 'tree' and 'try'.
The blend TR combines /t/ and /r/ spoken quickly together.
Examples
Phonics Rule: Schwa
In unstressed syllables, vowels often make a lazy 'uh' sound called schwa, like the A in 'about'.
Schwa /ə/ is the most common vowel sound in English. Any vowel letter can make the schwa sound when it's in an unstressed syllable. It sounds like a quick, lazy 'uh'.
Tip
Schwa is lazy — any vowel can say 'uh' when it's not stressed!
Examples
Phonics Rule: DGE Trigraph
DGE makes the /dʒ/ sound (like J) after a short vowel, like in 'bridge' and 'judge'.
DGE appears after a short vowel. It makes the /dʒ/ sound. This is similar to how TCH works — it's the 'short vowel version' of the /dʒ/ ending.
Tip
Short vowel + /dʒ/? Use DGE — bridge to the fridge!
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.