herb
nounA plant used to make food taste better.
nounA plant used to help people feel better when they are ill.
nounA plant with a soft green stem that dies after one year.
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Silent H
In a few words the H is silent — like 'hour', 'honest', and 'exhaust'.
Most H's are sounded (hat, hope), but in a small set of words the H is silent: hour, honest, honor, heir, herb, and after X in exhaust and exhibit. These are memorized.
Tip
An honest hour — the H is silent!
Examples
Phonics Rule: R-Controlled ER
When R comes after E, it makes the /ɜːr/ sound, like in 'her' and 'fern'.
ER makes the same sound as IR and UR — they all say /ɜːr/. ER is the most common spelling of this sound, especially at the end of words.
Tip
ER, IR, and UR all sound the same — Bossy R wins again!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter B
The letter B makes the /b/ sound, like in 'bat', 'big', and 'bug'. Both lips press together then release.
B is a voiced bilabial stop — both lips press together and release with voice. It always makes the /b/ sound except when silent at the end of words after m (as in 'lamb' or 'comb').
Tip
B looks like a bat — and bat starts with /b/!
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.
Save words to study lists, build flashcard decks, and scan your own worksheets and books.