newness
PronouncedNOO-nuhs
nounThe quality of being recent or not seen before.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter N
Sound“n”·/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
Phonics Rule: EW says “oo”
Sound“oo”·/uː/
EW usually says the “oo” sound, like in 'flew' and 'grew'.
The vowel team EW most often makes the pure “oo” sound at the end of a syllable: flew, grew, chew, crew, blew. After some consonants it adds a Y-glide and says “yoo” — see the companion 'EW says “yoo”' rule (few, mew, pew).
Tip
EW says oo — flew, grew, chew!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Suffix -NESS
Sound“niss”·/nɪs/
Adding -NESS turns a describing word into a thing, like 'happy' → 'happiness'.
The suffix -ness turns an adjective into a noun. It means 'the state of being [adjective]'. 'Happy' → 'happiness' = the state of being happy.
Examples
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