SnapPhonics

tearful

TEER-fuhl/ˈtɪr.fəl/adjective
  1. adjHaving tears in your eyes or actually crying.

  2. adjVery sad or unhappy.

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Syllables

tearful

2 syllables

Letters

Related words (same phonics pattern)

Phonics breakdown

t

Phonics Rule: Letter T

The letter T makes the /t/ sound, like in 'top', 'tap', and 'ten'. The tongue tip taps behind the upper teeth.

T is a voiceless alveolar stop. The tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth and releases with a puff of air. Double T (tt) makes the same /t/ sound.

Tip

T taps — touch your tongue to make /t/!

Examples

ear

Phonics Rule: EAR says /ɪər/

EAR usually makes the /ɪər/ sound, like in 'ear', 'hear', and 'near'.

EAR most often says /ɪər/ (the 'ear' sound): ear, hear, near, year, clear, dear, fear.

Tip

Hear with your ear — hear, near, year!

Examples

ful

Phonics Rule: Suffix -FUL

Adding -FUL means 'full of', like 'helpful' (full of help) and 'beautiful'.

The suffix -ful means 'full of' or 'having the quality of'. Note: the suffix is spelled with one L (-ful), not two (-full).

Tip

FUL means full of — helpful is full of help!

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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