soil
PronouncedSOYL
nounThe dark material on the ground that plants grow in.
verbTo make something dirty.
nounA country or land.
verbTo damage someone's reputation or good name.
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter S
Sound“s”·/s/
The letter S usually makes the /s/ sound, like in 'sun', 'sit', and 'sock'. Air hisses through a small gap.
S is a voiceless alveolar fricative when it makes the /s/ sound. At the end of many words it can also make a /z/ sound (as in 'dogs' or 'has'). At the start of a word it is always /s/.
Tip
S hisses like a snake — sssssun!
Examples
Phonics Rule: OI Diphthong
Sound“oy”·/ɔɪ/
OI makes the “oy” sound in the middle of a word, like in 'oil' and 'coin'.
A diphthong is a vowel sound that glides from one sound to another. OI glides from “aw” to “ih”. Use OI in the middle of a word and OY at the end.
Tip
OI in the middle — coin and point!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter L
Sound“l”·/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
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.