inks
nounColoured liquids used for writing, printing or drawing.
nounDifferent types, colours or containers of writing or printing liquid.
nounDark liquids that squid and octopus release into the water to hide from danger.
verbCovers something or smears it with writing or printing liquid.
verbSigns a contract or document by writing your name on it.
Syllables
1 syllable
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Short I
The letter I makes a short sound, like in 'sit' and 'big'.
When the letter I appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short I sound /ɪ/. This is one of the trickiest short vowels because it sounds similar to short E.
Tip
I says /ɪ/ like an itch you can't miss.
Examples
Phonics Rule: NK End Blend
NK at the end of a syllable makes the /ŋk/ sound, like in 'sink', 'bank', and 'drink'.
NK blends the nasal /ŋ/ (like in 'sing') with /k/. The N in NK is not a regular /n/ — it shifts to /ŋ/ because of the K that follows.
Tip
NK ends with a clunk — sink, bank, drink!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Plural -S (/s/ sound)
Adding -S makes a word plural (more than one). After unvoiced sounds, -S says /s/, like 'cats'.
The plural -s says /s/ after unvoiced consonants (p, t, k, f, th). Like -ed, the pronunciation depends on the final sound of the base word.
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.
