dimension
Pronounceddih-MEHN-shuhn
nounA measure of how far something stretches in one direction, like its height, width or depth.
nounOne particular part or aspect of something.
nounA separate world or level of existence in a story.
Syllables
3 syllables
Letters
Word forms:
Related words (same phonics pattern)
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter D
Sound“d”·/d/
The letter D makes the /d/ sound, like in 'dog', 'day', and 'dig'. The tongue tip touches behind the upper teeth.
D is a voiced alveolar stop. The tongue tip touches the ridge just behind the upper front teeth, then releases with voice. It reliably makes the /d/ sound in almost all positions.
Tip
D is for dog — and dog starts with /d/!
Examples
When the letter I appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short I sound “ih”. This is one of the trickiest short vowels because it sounds similar to short E.
Tip
I says “ih” like an itch you can't miss.
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter M
Sound“m”·/m/
The letter M makes the /m/ sound, like in 'map', 'mud', and 'mop'. Both lips press together with voice through the nose.
M is a voiced bilabial nasal — both lips press together while the voice hums through the nose. Double M (mm) makes the same /m/ sound.
Tip
M hums like mmm — press your lips and hum!
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 N
Sound“n”·/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
Phonics Rule: Suffix -SION (“shun”)
Sound“shun”·/ʃən/
After a consonant, -SION says “shun”, like in 'mission' and 'tension'.
When -SION follows a consonant, it makes the “shun” sound: mission, tension, passion, discussion. (After a vowel it buzzes to “zhun” instead — vision, division — see the companion rule.)
Tip
-SION after a consonant says “shun” — mission, tension, passion!
Examples
What is SnapPhonics?
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