SnapPhonics

reserve

rih-ZERV/rɪ.ˈzɜːrv/verb
  1. verbTo ask ahead of time that something is kept for you.

  2. nounSomething kept back or saved to use later.

  3. nounA piece of land kept for a special purpose, like for animals or Aboriginal peoples.

  4. nounExtra soldiers ready to fight if the main army needs help.

  5. nounA player on a team who waits on the bench and plays when someone else gets tired or hurt.

  6. nounMoney that a bank or company keeps to pay bills or handle problems.

Save to your word list — create a free account

Syllables

reserve

2 syllables

Letters

Related words (same phonics pattern)

Phonics breakdown

re

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

s

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

er

Phonics Rule: R-Controlled ER

When R comes after E, it makes the /ɜːr/ sound, like in 'her' and 'fern'.

ER makes the same sound as IR and UR — they all say /ɜːr/. ER is the most common spelling of this sound, especially at the end of words.

Tip

ER, IR, and UR all sound the same — Bossy R wins again!

Examples

v

Phonics Rule: Letter V

The letter V makes the /v/ sound, like in 'van', 'vet', and 'vine'. Upper teeth touch the lower lip with voice.

V is a voiced labiodental fricative — the upper front teeth rest on the lower lip while air and voice flow through. It is the voiced partner of F. English words rarely end in V; they usually add an E (have, live, give).

Tip

V is for van — /v/ vibrates your lips!

Examples

e

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.