three
nounA number that comes after two and before four.
nounThe shape or symbol used to write the number three.
nounA playing card that has three symbols on it.
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: TH Digraph (Unvoiced)
TH can make a soft sound /θ/, like in 'think' and 'bath'. Just air, no buzz!
The unvoiced TH /θ/ is the quiet, breathy version. Your throat doesn't vibrate. Stick your tongue between your teeth and blow air.
Tip
Unvoiced TH is quiet — think with three teeth!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter R
The letter R makes the /r/ sound, like in 'run', 'red', and 'rope'. The tongue curls back slightly.
R is a voiced approximant. The tongue curls back or bunches up without touching the roof of the mouth. When R follows a vowel it changes that vowel's sound (r-controlled vowels).
Tip
R is for run — /r/ with a curl of the tongue!
Examples
Phonics Rule: EE Vowel Team
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 /iː/. This is one of the most reliable vowel teams in English.
Tip
Two E's together always agree — they say /iː/!
Examples
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