foreign
adjFrom or belonging to a different country.
adjStrange or not usual.
nounA person from another country.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter F
The letter F makes the /f/ sound, like in 'fish', 'fun', and 'fox'. The upper teeth touch the lower lip.
F is a voiceless labiodental fricative — the upper front teeth rest on the lower lip while air flows through to make the /f/ sound. It is very consistent.
Tip
F is for fish — and fish starts with /f/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: R-Controlled OR
When R comes after O, it makes the /ɔːr/ sound, like in 'for' and 'corn'.
OR makes the /ɔːr/ sound. Unlike ER/IR/UR which all sound the same, OR has its own distinct sound. The companion rule r_controlled_or_er covers the /ɜːr/ pronunciation after W (word, work).
Tip
OR — the horse in the corner says /ɔːr/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: EI says long A
EI sometimes says long A /eɪ/, like in 'vein' and 'rein'.
The vowel team EI can say the long A sound /eɪ/ in a set of words: vein, rein, veil, beige. (EI says long E /iː/ in other words, often after C — see the companion 'EI says long E' rule.)
Tip
EI can say long A — vein, rein, veil!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent G in GN
In GN, the G is silent! You only say /n/, like in 'gnat' and 'sign'.
When G comes before N at the beginning of a word, or when GN appears at the end, the G is silent.
Tip
G hides from N — you can't hear the gnat!
Examples
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