poise
nounA calm and confident way of behaving, without looking nervous or embarrassed.
nounA steady, balanced position or state.
verbTo hold something steady and balanced, ready to use it.
verbTo hover or float without moving.
nounThe way someone holds their head and body.
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter P
The letter P makes the /p/ sound, like in 'pan', 'pig', and 'pot'. Both lips press together then pop open.
P is a voiceless bilabial stop — both lips press together and release with a puff of air but no voice. It pairs with B (which is the voiced version of the same mouth position).
Tip
P pops open — press your lips and let it POP!
Examples
Phonics Rule: OI Diphthong
OI makes the /ɔɪ/ sound in the middle of a word, like in 'oil' and 'coin'.
A diphthong is a vowel sound that glides from one sound to another. OI glides from /ɔ/ to /ɪ/. Use OI in the middle of a word and OY at the end.
Tip
OI in the middle — coin and point!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter S
The letter S usually makes the /s/ sound, like in 'sun', 'sit', and 'sock'. Air hisses through a small gap.
S is a voiceless alveolar fricative when it makes the /s/ sound. At the end of many words it can also make a /z/ sound (as in 'dogs' or 'has'). At the start of a word it is always /s/.
Tip
S hisses like a snake — sssssun!
Examples
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
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.