SnapPhonics

fox

FAHKS/ˈfɑks/noun
  1. nounA small wild animal with red or silver fur, a bushy tail, and a pointed nose.

  2. verbTo trick or fool someone by being clever and cunning.

  3. nounA person who is good at tricking others or solving difficult problems in a clever way.

  4. nounThe soft fur of a fox, used to make clothes and other things.

  5. nameA surname, or a male or female given name.

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Syllables

fox

1 syllable

Letters

Phonics breakdown

f

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

o

Phonics Rule: Short O

The letter O makes a short sound, like in 'hot' and 'dog'.

When the letter O appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short O sound /ɑ/. In American English, this sounds like 'ah'.

Tip

O says /ɑ/ like 'Ahh!' said the doctor.

Examples

x

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

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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