exhaust
Pronouncedihg-ZAWST
verbTo make someone feel very tired and without energy.
verbTo use up all of something until there is none left.
nounDirty gases that come out of a car engine.
nounA pipe on a car that lets out burned gases from the engine.
verbTo discuss something completely and in great detail.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Word forms:
Phonics breakdown
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: X says “gz”
Sound“gz”·/ɡz/
X can say “gz” (a buzzing 'gz'), like in 'example' and 'exact'.
X usually says /ks/ (box, fox), but in some words — often when a stressed vowel follows — it says the voiced “gz”: exam, exact, example, exist, exhaust, exhibit.
Tip
X can buzz — exam, exact, example!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent H
Sound“silent”
In a few words the H is silent — like 'hour', 'honest', and 'exhaust'.
Most H's are sounded (hat, hope), but in a small set of words the H is silent: hour, honest, honor, heir, herb, and after X in exhaust and exhibit. These are memorized.
Tip
An honest hour — the H is silent!
Examples
Phonics Rule: AU Vowel Team
Sound“aw”·/ɔː/
When A and U are together, they make the “aw” sound, like in 'author' and 'pause'.
The vowel team AU makes the “aw” sound (same as AW). It appears in the middle of words. Examples: author, pause, fault, haunt, cause.
Tip
AU says aw — author, pause, fault!
Examples
Phonics Rule: ST Blend
Sound“st”·/st/
S and T blend together — you hear both sounds! Like in 'stop' and 'fast'.
The blend ST combines /s/ and /t/ spoken quickly together. It can appear at the beginning or end of a word.
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.