explore
verbTo travel to a new place to find out what is there.
verbTo look at or think about something carefully to understand it better.
verbTo wander around a place without planning where you will go.
verbTo try or experience something new to see what it is like.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Phonics breakdown
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
Phonics Rule: Letter X
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
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: ORE says /ɔːr/
ORE at the end of a word makes the /ɔːr/ sound, like in 'more' and 'store'.
ORE says /ɔːr/ (the 'or' sound): more, store, before, score, shore, explore. The E is part of the team.
Tip
One more, please — more, store, score!
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.
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