SnapPhonics

linger

PronouncedLIHNG-ger

/ˈlɪŋ.ɡər/verb
  1. verbTo stay somewhere when it's time to leave, or to move slowly because you don't want to go.

  2. verbTo stay alive or continue to exist for a while even though something is ending.

  3. nounA person's family name.

Save to your word list — create a free account

Syllables

linger

2 syllables

Letters

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

i

Phonics Rule: Short I

Sound“ih”·/ɪ/

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 “ih”. This is one of the trickiest short vowels because it sounds similar to short E.

Tip

I says “ih” like an itch you can't miss.

Examples

ng

Phonics Rule: NG Digraph

Sound“ng”·/ŋ/

NG together makes the “ng” sound at the back of your mouth, like in 'ring' and 'song'.

The digraph 'ng' makes the nasal sound “ng”. This sound is made at the back of your mouth/throat. It almost always appears at the end of a word or syllable.

Tip

Sing a song — NG rings along!

Examples

er

Phonics Rule: Suffix -ER

Sound“er”·/ɜːr/

Adding -ER can mean 'more' (bigger) or 'a person who' (teacher).

The suffix -er has two main uses: comparative ('big' → 'bigger' = more big) and agent ('teach' → 'teacher' = a person who teaches).

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.