courage
PronouncedKER-uhj
nounThe ability to be brave and do something even when you are scared.
nounThe strength to keep going and not give up when things are hard or difficult.
nounThe quality of being confident and not easily frightened or worried.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Hard C
Sound“k”·/k/
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: OUR says “er”
Sound“er”·/ɜːr/
OUR can make the “er” sound (like 'er' in 'her'), in 'journey' and 'courage'.
In a few words OUR says the “er” sound (same as ER, IR, UR): journey, courage, nourish, flourish, courteous.
Tip
A journey takes courage — journey, courage!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Suffix -AGE
Sound“ij”·/ɪdʒ/
In many words -AGE says “ij”, like in 'village' and 'message'.
When -AGE is an unstressed ending, it sounds like “ij” — village, message, cottage, package, manage, courage. (In words like 'age', 'cage', and 'stage' the A says long A — those are different.)
Tip
A message in the village — -AGE says “ij”!
Examples
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