SnapPhonics

empty

EHM-ptee/ˈɛm.ptiː/adjective
  1. adjectiveContaining nothing or nobody inside.

  2. verbTo remove all the things that are inside something.

  3. adjectiveFeeling hungry because there is no food in your stomach.

  4. adjectiveNot meaning anything real or true.

  5. nounA bottle or container that has had all its contents used up.

  6. verbTo flow out or drain toward where it ends up.

Save to your word list — create a free account

Syllables

empty

2 syllables

Letters

Related words (same phonics pattern)

Phonics breakdown

e

Phonics Rule: Short E

The letter E makes a short sound, like in 'bed' and 'red'.

When the letter E appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short E sound /ɛ/. This is often confused with short I by new readers.

Tip

E says /ɛ/ like an egg on your head.

Examples

mp

Phonics Rule: MP End Blend

MP at the end of a syllable blends /m/ and /p/ together, like in 'jump', 'camp', and 'lamp'.

MP is a common end blend. The lips are involved in both sounds — /m/ hums with closed lips, then /p/ pops them open.

Tip

MP pops at the end — jump, camp, stamp!

Examples

t

Phonics Rule: Letter T

The letter T makes the /t/ sound, like in 'top', 'tap', and 'ten'. The tongue tip taps behind the upper teeth.

T is a voiceless alveolar stop. The tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth and releases with a puff of air. Double T (tt) makes the same /t/ sound.

Tip

T taps — touch your tongue to make /t/!

Examples

y

Phonics Rule: Y as Long E

When Y is at the end of a longer word, it says long E, like in 'happy' and 'funny'.

When Y appears at the end of a multi-syllable word, it makes the long E sound /iː/. Very common in adjectives (happy, funny, silly) and nouns (baby, candy).

Tip

Y at the end of a long word says EEE — happy, funny, baby!

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.