SnapPhonics

lead

LEHD/ˈlɛd/verb
  1. nounA heavy metal that is soft and easy to bend.

  2. verbTo show someone the way by going first or helping them go somewhere.

  3. verbTo be in charge of a group of people or an activity.

  4. verbTo be winning or in front in a race or game.

  5. nounA winning position or the amount someone is winning by.

  6. nounThe most important part in a play or film.

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Syllables

lead

1 syllable

Letters

Word forms:

Related words (same phonics pattern)

Phonics breakdown

l

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

ea

Phonics Rule: EA Vowel Team (Short E)

Sometimes EA makes the short E sound, like in 'bread' and 'head'.

In some common words, 'ea' makes the short E sound /ɛ/ instead of the expected long E. These words need to be memorized since there's no reliable rule to predict when EA says short E.

Tip

Bread, head, dead — EA says /ɛ/ instead!

Examples

d

Phonics Rule: Letter D

The letter D makes the /d/ sound, like in 'dog', 'day', and 'dig'. The tongue tip touches behind the upper teeth.

D is a voiced alveolar stop. The tongue tip touches the ridge just behind the upper front teeth, then releases with voice. It reliably makes the /d/ sound in almost all positions.

Tip

D is for dog — and dog starts with /d/!

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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