cement
nounA grey powder that you mix with water to make a hard material for building.
nounThe thick paste you make by mixing that powder with water, or the hard rock-like material it becomes when it dries.
verbTo stick something firmly in place with cement or glue.
verbTo make a friendship or relationship stronger and more solid.
nounSomething that joins people together, like trust or shared interests.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Related words (same phonics pattern)
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Soft C
C says /s/ before E, I, or Y, like in 'city' and 'face'.
When C comes before the letters E, I, or Y, it makes the soft /s/ sound instead of the hard /k/ sound. This is called 'Soft C'.
Tip
C is soft before E, I, Y — the city is nice!
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: Suffix -MENT
The suffix -MENT turns a verb into a noun meaning the result or state of the action.
-MENT is a noun-forming suffix. It is added to verbs (move → movement, enjoy → enjoyment, treat → treatment). The -MENT syllable uses the schwa sound: /mənt/.
Tip
-MENT makes it a thing — move + ment = movement!
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.
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