hear
verbTo perceive sound with your ears.
verbTo listen to someone or something on purpose.
verbTo find out about something or learn news about it.
verbTo listen to evidence in court and make a decision about it.
verbTo understand how someone feels or what they think.
Syllables
1 syllable
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter H
The letter H makes the /h/ sound, like in 'hat', 'hop', and 'hen'. It is a soft breath of air.
H is a voiceless glottal fricative — just a puff of air with no friction. It always appears before a vowel and is sometimes silent (as in 'hour' or 'honest').
Tip
H is a puff of air — breathe out and say /h/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: EAR says /ɪər/
EAR usually makes the /ɪər/ sound, like in 'ear', 'hear', and 'near'.
EAR most often says /ɪər/ (the 'ear' sound): ear, hear, near, year, clear, dear, fear.
Tip
Hear with your ear — hear, near, year!
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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