SnapPhonics

rocky

RAH-kee/ˈrɑ.kiː/adjective

Full of rocks or having many rocks in it.

Save to your word list — create a free account

Syllables

rocky

2 syllables

Letters

Related words (same phonics pattern)

Phonics breakdown

r

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

o

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

ck

Phonics Rule: CK Digraph

CK together makes the /k/ sound, like in 'back' and 'kick'.

The digraph 'ck' appears right after a short vowel at the end of a one-syllable word. If the vowel is short, use CK. If the vowel is long, use just K (like 'make').

Tip

Short vowel? CK comes quick — back, kick, duck!

Examples

y

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.

Save words to study lists, build flashcard decks, and scan your own worksheets and books.