shape
nounThe outline or form of something.
nounA geometric figure like a circle, square, or triangle.
nounHow healthy and fit someone's body is.
verbTo make something into a particular form.
verbTo have an effect on how something develops.
nounThe general condition or state of something.
Syllables
1 syllable
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: SH Digraph
S and H together make the quiet sound /ʃ/, like in 'ship' and 'fish'.
The digraph 'sh' makes the /ʃ/ sound. Think of the 'shh, be quiet' sound. It can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a word.
Tip
SH says 'shhh' — be quiet on the ship!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent E with A (Magic E)
In the a-consonant-e pattern, the E at the end is silent and makes the A say its name — like in 'cake' and 'make'. Teachers often call this the Magic E.
In the pattern a-consonant-e (like 'cake'), the final E is silent but it makes the A say its long sound /eɪ/. This is called the 'magic E' or 'silent E' rule.
Tip
Magic E makes A say its name!
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: Silent E with A (Magic E)
In the a-consonant-e pattern, the E at the end is silent and makes the A say its name — like in 'cake' and 'make'. Teachers often call this the Magic E.
In the pattern a-consonant-e (like 'cake'), the final E is silent but it makes the A say its long sound /eɪ/. This is called the 'magic E' or 'silent E' rule.
Tip
Magic E makes A say its name!
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.