schools
nounPlaces where children go to learn and study together.
nounParts of a larger college or university that teach one particular subject.
nounGroups of fish or sea animals like dolphins swimming together.
nounGroups of artists or thinkers who share the same ideas or way of doing things.
nounPlaces that teach special skills like driving or cooking.
verbTo teach someone something, usually very well or very firmly.
Syllables
1 syllable
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: SC Blend
SC at the start of a word makes the /sk/ sound, like in 'scan', 'scoop', and 'scale'.
SC blends the /s/ and /k/ sounds together. Before A, O, U, and most consonants it says /sk/. Before E and I, the C softens and SC can say /s/ (scene, science).
Tip
SC scoops — /sk/ like a scoop of ice cream!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter H
The letter H makes the /h/ sound, like in 'hat', 'hop', and 'hen'. It is a soft breath of air.
H is a voiceless glottal fricative — just a puff of air with no friction. It always appears before a vowel and is sometimes silent (as in 'hour' or 'honest').
Tip
H is a puff of air — breathe out and say /h/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: OO (Long Sound)
OO often makes the long sound, like in 'moon' and 'food'.
The vowel team 'oo' has two sounds. The long sound /uː/ is more common and appears in words like 'moon', 'food', and 'school'.
Tip
OO like the moon — ooooo!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter 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
Phonics Rule: Plural -S (/z/ sound)
After voiced sounds, -S says /z/, like in 'dogs' and 'birds'.
After voiced consonants and vowels, the plural -s says /z/. Most people don't notice this — it sounds natural.
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.