repository
nounA place where things are kept safe and stored.
nounA storage place for computer files and programs.
nounA vault under the ground where dead people are buried.
nounA person who is trusted to keep a secret.
Syllables
5 syllables
Letters
Related words (same phonics pattern)
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Prefix RE-
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
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: Short O
The letter O makes a short sound, like in 'hot' and 'dog'.
When the letter O appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short O sound /ɑ/. In American English, this sounds like 'ah'.
Tip
O says /ɑ/ like 'Ahh!' said the doctor.
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: Open Syllable E (Long E)
When E is the last letter of a syllable, the syllable is open and the E says its name /iː/ — like in 'he' and 'me'.
This is the open-syllable pattern: a syllable that ends in a vowel leaves it 'open', so it says its long name. Here, a lone E at the end of a syllable says /iː/ (he, me, we, be). The long E sound is also spelled other ways, each its own rule — vowel teams (ee in tree, ea in read) — but those are not open syllables.
Tip
Long E says its name — E!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter T
The letter T makes the /t/ sound, like in 'top', 'tap', and 'ten'. The tongue tip taps behind the upper teeth.
T is a voiceless alveolar stop. The tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth and releases with a puff of air. Double T (tt) makes the same /t/ sound.
Tip
T taps — touch your tongue to make /t/!
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: Y as Long E
When Y is at the end of a longer word, it says long E, like in 'happy' and 'funny'.
When Y appears at the end of a multi-syllable word, it makes the long E sound /iː/. Very common in adjectives (happy, funny, silly) and nouns (baby, candy).
Tip
Y at the end of a long word says EEE — happy, funny, baby!
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.
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