portrays
verbShows someone or something by acting as that person or thing in a film, play, or story.
verbDescribes someone or something in words or pictures.
verbPaints or draws a picture of someone or something.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
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: R-Controlled OR
When R comes after O, it makes the /ɔːr/ sound, like in 'for' and 'corn'.
OR makes the /ɔːr/ sound. Unlike ER/IR/UR which all sound the same, OR has its own distinct sound. The companion rule r_controlled_or_er covers the /ɜːr/ pronunciation after W (word, work).
Tip
OR — the horse in the corner says /ɔːr/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: TR Blend
T and R blend together — you hear both sounds! Like in 'tree' and 'try'.
The blend TR combines /t/ and /r/ spoken quickly together.
Examples
Phonics Rule: AY Vowel Team
AY at the end of a word says long A, like in 'play' and 'day'.
The vowel team 'ay' makes the long A sound /eɪ/ and typically appears at the end of a word or syllable. It's the end-of-word partner to 'ai'.
Tip
AY at the end of the day says long A!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Plural -S (/z/ sound)
After voiced sounds, -S says /z/, like in 'dogs' and 'birds'.
After voiced consonants and vowels, the plural -s says /z/. Most people don't notice this — it sounds natural.
Examples
What is SnapPhonics?
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