SnapPhonics

mellow

MEH-loh/ˈmɛ.loʊ/adjective
  1. adjectiveSoft and sweet because it is fully ripe.

  2. adjectiveCalm, gentle, and relaxed.

  3. adjectiveSmooth and not sharp or harsh in taste.

  4. adjectivePleasantly relaxed and friendly.

  5. verbTo become softer and smoother with time.

  6. verbTo make someone calmer and gentler.

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Syllables

mellow

2 syllables

Letters

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

e

Phonics Rule: Short E

The letter E makes a short sound, like in 'bed' and 'red'.

When the letter E appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short E sound /ɛ/. This is often confused with short I by new readers.

Tip

E says /ɛ/ like an egg on your head.

Examples

ll

Phonics Rule: Double Consonant

Two of the same consonant together make just one sound, like the LL in 'ball' or TT in 'butter'.

When two identical consonants appear together, they make just one consonant sound, and the doubling signals a short vowel before it. A common case is the FLOSS rule: a one-syllable word with a short vowel doubles a final f, l, s, or z (off, ball, miss, buzz). Examples: ball, butter, happy, mitten, egg, off.

Tip

Double consonants make one sound — ball, butter, egg!

Examples

ow

Phonics Rule: OW (Long O Sound)

OW sometimes says long O, like in 'snow' and 'show'.

The spelling 'ow' can make the long O sound /oʊ/, especially at the end of a word. It can also make the /aʊ/ diphthong sound (like 'cow').

Tip

Snow falls slow — OW says long O!

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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