SnapPhonics

relax

Pronouncedrih-LAKS

/rɪ.ˈlæks/verb
  1. verbTo rest and stop feeling worried or tired.

  2. verbTo make your body or mind less tense.

  3. verbTo make something less strict or firm.

  4. verbTo become loose or less tight.

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Syllables

relax

2 syllables

Letters

Phonics breakdown

re

Phonics Rule: Prefix RE-

Sound“ree”·/riː/

RE- means 'again'. 'Redo' means 'do again'.

The prefix re- means 'again' or 'back'. 'Read' → 'reread' (read again). 'Build' → 'rebuild' (build again).

Tip

RE means again — redo, replay, return!

Examples

l

Phonics Rule: Letter L

Sound“l”·/l/

The letter L makes the /l/ sound, like in 'lamp', 'leg', and 'lip'. The tongue tip touches behind the upper teeth.

L is a voiced lateral approximant — the tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth while air flows around the sides. Double L (ll) makes the same /l/ sound.

Tip

L is for lamp — light it up with /l/!

Examples

a

Phonics Rule: Short A

Sound“a”·/æ/

The letter A makes a short sound, like in 'cat' and 'bat'.

When the letter A appears in a closed syllable (a syllable that ends with a consonant), it usually makes the short A sound “a”. This is one of the first vowel sounds students learn.

Tip

A says “a” like a cat that sat on a mat.

Examples

x

Phonics Rule: Letter X

Sound“ks”·/ks/

The letter X usually makes the /ks/ sound, like in 'fox', 'box', and 'mix'.

X is unusual — it represents two sounds blended together: /k/ + /s/ = /ks/. At the start of a word it sometimes makes a /z/ sound (xylophone). At the end of words it reliably says /ks/.

Tip

X says /ks/ — like a fox in a box!

Examples

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