SnapPhonics

meanest

MEE-nuhst/ˈmiː.nəst/adjective
  1. adjectiveMost unkind and cruel to other people.

  2. adjectiveLowest in quality or value.

  3. adjectiveMost unwilling to share money or things.

  4. adjectiveMost impressive and hard to beat because of great skill.

  5. adjectiveMost fierce or powerful.

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Syllables

meanest

2 syllables

Letters

Base word

mean

Related words (same phonics pattern)

Phonics breakdown

m

Phonics Rule: Letter M

The letter M makes the /m/ sound, like in 'map', 'mud', and 'mop'. Both lips press together with voice through the nose.

M is a voiced bilabial nasal — both lips press together while the voice hums through the nose. Double M (mm) makes the same /m/ sound.

Tip

M hums like mmm — press your lips and hum!

Examples

ea

Phonics Rule: EA Vowel Team (Long E)

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 /iː/. 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

n

Phonics Rule: Letter N

The letter N makes the /n/ sound, like in 'net', 'nap', and 'nut'. The tongue tip touches behind the upper teeth.

N is a voiced alveolar nasal — the tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth while voice hums through the nose. It is one of the most common consonants in English.

Tip

N hums through the nose — say /n/ and feel the buzz!

Examples

est

Phonics Rule: Suffix -EST

Adding -EST means 'the most', like 'biggest' and 'fastest'.

The suffix -est makes a superlative — it means 'the most' of something. 'Big' → 'biggest' means the most big of all.

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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