explode
Pronouncedihk-SPLOHD
verbTo burst or blow apart suddenly with a loud noise and force.
verbTo burst apart suddenly and violently, often with a loud noise and force.
verbTo suddenly show a strong emotion like anger or happiness.
verbTo suddenly show strong anger or emotion in a loud or forceful way.
verbTo grow or increase very quickly and suddenly.
verbTo increase very quickly or suddenly.
verbTo destroy something with an explosion.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Related words (same phonics pattern)
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: Letter X
Sound“ks”·/ks/
The letter X usually makes the /ks/ sound, like in 'fox', 'box', and 'mix'.
X is unusual — it represents two sounds blended together: /k/ + /s/ = /ks/. At the start of a word it sometimes makes a /z/ sound (xylophone). At the end of words it reliably says /ks/.
Tip
X says /ks/ — like a fox in a box!
Examples
Phonics Rule: PL Blend
Sound“pl”·/pl/
P and L blend together — you hear both sounds! Like in 'play' and 'plan'.
The blend PL combines /p/ and /l/ spoken quickly together.
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent E with O (Magic E)
Sound“oh”·/oʊ/
In the o-consonant-e pattern, the E at the end is silent and makes the O say its name — like in 'home' and 'bone'. Teachers often call this the Magic E.
In the pattern o-consonant-e (like 'home'), the final E is silent but makes the O say its long sound “oh”.
Tip
Magic E makes O say its name!
Examples
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
Phonics Rule: Silent E with O (Magic E)
Sound“oh”·/oʊ/
In the o-consonant-e pattern, the E at the end is silent and makes the O say its name — like in 'home' and 'bone'. Teachers often call this the Magic E.
In the pattern o-consonant-e (like 'home'), the final E is silent but makes the O say its long sound “oh”.
Tip
Magic E makes O say its name!
Examples
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