reduce
verbTo make something smaller in size, amount, or strength.
verbTo lose weight by eating less or exercising more.
verbTo give someone a lower rank or job.
verbTo boil away water from a liquid or sauce so it becomes thicker.
verbTo make a hard equation simpler while keeping its answer the same.
verbTo put a broken bone back in its proper place.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter R
The letter R makes the /r/ sound, like in 'run', 'red', and 'rope'. The tongue curls back slightly.
R is a voiced approximant. The tongue curls back or bunches up without touching the roof of the mouth. When R follows a vowel it changes that vowel's sound (r-controlled vowels).
Tip
R is for run — /r/ with a curl of the tongue!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Schwa
In unstressed syllables, vowels often make a lazy 'uh' sound called schwa, like the A in 'about'.
Schwa /ə/ is the most common vowel sound in English. Any vowel letter can make the schwa sound when it's in an unstressed syllable. It sounds like a quick, lazy 'uh'.
Tip
Schwa is lazy — any vowel can say 'uh' when it's not stressed!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter D
The letter D makes the /d/ sound, like in 'dog', 'day', and 'dig'. The tongue tip touches behind the upper teeth.
D is a voiced alveolar stop. The tongue tip touches the ridge just behind the upper front teeth, then releases with voice. It reliably makes the /d/ sound in almost all positions.
Tip
D is for dog — and dog starts with /d/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent E with U — /uː/ (Magic E)
Same u-consonant-e Magic E pattern, but after L, R, S, or J the U says 'oo' instead of 'yoo' — like 'rule' and 'rude'.
Same u-consonant-e spelling, but when the U follows L, R, S, or J, the Y-glide drops and the sound is pure /uː/. Companion to silent_e_u_e.
Tip
After L, R, S, J — magic E makes U say oo!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Soft C
C says /s/ before E, I, or Y, like in 'city' and 'face'.
When C comes before the letters E, I, or Y, it makes the soft /s/ sound instead of the hard /k/ sound. This is called 'Soft C'.
Tip
C is soft before E, I, Y — the city is nice!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent E with U — /uː/ (Magic E)
Same u-consonant-e Magic E pattern, but after L, R, S, or J the U says 'oo' instead of 'yoo' — like 'rule' and 'rude'.
Same u-consonant-e spelling, but when the U follows L, R, S, or J, the Y-glide drops and the sound is pure /uː/. Companion to silent_e_u_e.
Tip
After L, R, S, J — magic E makes U say oo!
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.