launches
verbSends something forcefully through the air.
verbStarts a computer program or app.
verbPuts a new product into stores for people to buy.
verbSends a ship, rocket or balloon into the water or sky.
verbStarts someone on a task or project.
nounSmall boats that carry people to and from bigger boats.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter L
The letter L makes the /l/ sound, like in 'lamp', 'leg', and 'lip'. The tongue tip touches behind the upper teeth.
L is a voiced lateral approximant — the tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth while air flows around the sides. Double L (ll) makes the same /l/ sound.
Tip
L is for lamp — light it up with /l/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: AU Vowel Team
When A and U are together, they make the /ɔː/ sound, like in 'author' and 'pause'.
The vowel team AU makes the /ɔː/ sound (same as AW). It appears in the middle of words. Examples: author, pause, fault, haunt, cause.
Tip
AU says aw — author, pause, fault!
Examples
Phonics Rule: NCH End Blend
NCH at the end of a syllable makes the /ntʃ/ sound, like in 'lunch', 'bench', and 'ranch'.
NCH combines the nasal /n/ with the digraph CH (/tʃ/). The result is /ntʃ/ — three sounds blended smoothly together at the end of a syllable.
Tip
NCH crunches — /ntʃ/ lunch, bench, punch!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Suffix -ES
The suffix -ES is added to words ending in S, X, Z, CH, or SH to make them plural or third-person singular.
When a word ends in a hissing or buzzing sound (s, x, z, ch, sh), adding just -S would be hard to say. So -ES is added instead and pronounced /ɪz/ — it adds a syllable. For example: box → boxes, wish → wishes, buzz → buzzes.
Tip
-ES adds a whole extra syllable — box-es, wish-es!
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.