SnapPhonics

corn

KORN/ˈkɔrn/noun
  1. nounA tall plant grown for its large yellow seeds that people and animals eat.

  2. nounA single hard seed from a cereal plant.

  3. nounA small hard bump on the skin, usually on a foot or hand.

  4. verbTo preserve food by covering it with salt.

  5. nounA surname.

  6. nounA town in Oklahoma.

Save to your word list — create a free account

Syllables

corn

1 syllable

Letters

Word forms:

Phonics breakdown

c

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

or

Phonics Rule: R-Controlled OR

When R comes after O, it makes the /ɔːr/ sound, like in 'for' and 'corn'.

OR makes the /ɔːr/ sound. Unlike ER/IR/UR which all sound the same, OR has its own distinct sound. The companion rule r_controlled_or_er covers the /ɜːr/ pronunciation after W (word, work).

Tip

OR — the horse in the corner says /ɔːr/!

Examples

n

Phonics Rule: Letter N

The letter N makes the /n/ sound, like in 'net', 'nap', and 'nut'. The tongue tip touches behind the upper teeth.

N is a voiced alveolar nasal — the tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth while voice hums through the nose. It is one of the most common consonants in English.

Tip

N hums through the nose — say /n/ and feel the buzz!

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.