SnapPhonics

sleeply

Pronouncedsleeply

/ˈsliːp.i.li/adverb

In a way that shows you are very tired or sleepy. Moving or speaking in a slow, drowsy manner.

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Syllables

sleepily

3 syllables

Letters

Base word

sleep

Related words (same phonics pattern)

Phonics breakdown

sl

Phonics Rule: SL Blend

Sound“sl”·/sl/

S and L blend together — you hear both sounds! Like in 'slow' and 'sleep'.

The blend SL combines /s/ and /l/ spoken quickly together.

Examples

ee

Phonics Rule: EE Vowel Team

Sound“ee”·/iː/

When two E's are together, they say long E, like in 'tree' and 'see'.

The vowel team 'ee' almost always makes the long E sound “ee”. This is one of the most reliable vowel teams in English.

Tip

Two E's together always agree — they say “ee”!

Examples

p

Phonics Rule: Letter P

Sound“p”·/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

ly

Phonics Rule: Suffix -LY

Sound“lee”·/li/

Adding -LY to a word usually makes it describe HOW something is done, like 'slowly' and 'quickly'.

The suffix -ly usually turns an adjective into an adverb. 'Slow' → 'slowly' means 'in a slow way'.

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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