smallest
adjectiveThe least big in size or amount.
adjectiveThe youngest or most junior.
adjectiveThe shortest in length of time.
nounA size of clothing or manufactured item that is less than medium.
nounAn item with a label showing it is that reduced size.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: SM Blend
S and M blend together — you hear both sounds! Like in 'small' and 'smile'.
The blend SM combines /s/ and /m/ spoken quickly together.
Examples
Phonics Rule: AL says /ɔː/
AL often says the /ɔː/ sound, like in 'ball', 'walk', and 'talk'.
When A is followed by L, it frequently says /ɔː/ (the 'aw' sound): ball, call, walk, talk, salt, false, also. (In other words the A and L are separate, like in 'pal'.)
Tip
AL says aw — ball, walk, talk!
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: Suffix -EST
Adding -EST means 'the most', like 'biggest' and 'fastest'.
The suffix -est makes a superlative — it means 'the most' of something. 'Big' → 'biggest' means the most big of all.
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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