SnapPhonics

leaves

PronouncedLEEVZ

/ˈliːvz/noun
  1. nounMore than one green part that grows on a plant stem or branch.

  2. verbGoes away from a person or place.

  3. verbLets something stay or remain instead of taking it away.

  4. verbPuts or places something somewhere and then goes away.

  5. verbStops being a member of a group or organization.

  6. verbGives something to someone after you die.

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Syllables

leaves

1 syllable

Letters

Base word

leave

Related words (same phonics pattern)

Phonics breakdown

l

Phonics Rule: Letter L

Sound“l”·/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 (Long E)

Sound“ee”·/iː/

When E and A are together, they usually say long E, like in 'teach' and 'beach'.

The vowel team 'ea' most commonly makes the long E sound “ee”. However, it can also say short E (like 'bread') or long A (like 'great'). The long E pronunciation is by far the most common.

Tip

When two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking.

Examples

v

Phonics Rule: Letter V

Sound“v”·/v/

The letter V makes the /v/ sound, like in 'van', 'vet', and 'vine'. Upper teeth touch the lower lip with voice.

V is a voiced labiodental fricative — the upper front teeth rest on the lower lip while air and voice flow through. It is the voiced partner of F. English words rarely end in V; they usually add an E (have, live, give).

Tip

V is for van — /v/ vibrates your lips!

Examples

es

Phonics Rule: Plural -S (/z/ sound)

Sound“z”·/z/

After a buzzing sound or a vowel, the plural ending says /z/ — like 'dogs' and 'shoes'.

Put a finger on your throat and say 'zzzz' — you feel a buzz. When the word ends in a buzzing (voiced) sound or a vowel, the plural ending buzzes too and says /z/. This happens whether the word is spelled -s (dogs) or -es (shoes, trees), because in shoes the e is silent and only the s is sounded. Most people never notice they are doing this.

Examples

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