chef
PronouncedSHEHF
nounThe head cook in a restaurant or kitchen.
nounA person who cooks food.
verbTo cook and prepare food as a job.
Syllables
1 syllable
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: CH Digraph (“sh” sound)
Sound“sh”·/ʃ/
In some words from French, CH makes the “sh” sound, like in 'chef' and 'machine'.
When CH comes from a French-origin word, it says “sh”. Common examples: chef, machine, champagne, chandelier. These words must be memorized.
Tip
French CH shushes like SH — chef, machine!
Examples
When the letter E appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short E sound “eh”. This is often confused with short I by new readers.
Tip
E says “eh” like an egg on your head.
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter F
Sound“f”·/f/
The letter F makes the /f/ sound, like in 'fish', 'fun', and 'fox'. The upper teeth touch the lower lip.
F is a voiceless labiodental fricative — the upper front teeth rest on the lower lip while air flows through to make the /f/ sound. It is very consistent.
Tip
F is for fish — and fish starts with /f/!
Examples
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