SnapPhonics

spell

SPEHL/ˈspɛl/verb
  1. verbTo write or say the letters that make up a word.

  2. nounWords or a formula that people believe have magical powers.

  3. nounA magic effect that makes someone do something against their will.

  4. nounA short period of time when you do something or when something happens.

  5. nounA period of rest or a break from work.

  6. verbTo take a turn doing a job so that someone else can rest.

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Syllables

spell

1 syllable

Letters

Related words (same phonics pattern)

Phonics breakdown

sp

Phonics Rule: SP Blend

S and P blend together — you hear both sounds! Like in 'spin' and 'sport'.

The blend SP combines /s/ and /p/ spoken quickly together.

Examples

e

Phonics Rule: Short E

The letter E makes a short sound, like in 'bed' and 'red'.

When the letter E appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short E sound /ɛ/. This is often confused with short I by new readers.

Tip

E says /ɛ/ like an egg on your head.

Examples

ll

Phonics Rule: Double Consonant

Two of the same consonant together make just one sound, like the LL in 'ball' or TT in 'butter'.

When two identical consonants appear together, they make just one consonant sound, and the doubling signals a short vowel before it. A common case is the FLOSS rule: a one-syllable word with a short vowel doubles a final f, l, s, or z (off, ball, miss, buzz). Examples: ball, butter, happy, mitten, egg, off.

Tip

Double consonants make one sound — ball, butter, egg!

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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