thumb
PronouncedTHUHM
nounThe short, thick finger on your hand that can bend in different ways and touch your other fingers.
verbTo turn pages in a book quickly without reading every word.
verbTo touch or hold something with your thumb.
verbTo make a sign with your thumb, usually to ask for a ride.
verbTo travel by asking drivers for free rides.
nounA small picture that shows what a bigger picture looks like.
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: TH Digraph (Unvoiced)
Sound“th”·/θ/
TH can make a soft sound “th”, like in 'think' and 'bath'. Just air, no buzz!
The unvoiced TH “th” 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
When the letter U appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short U sound “uh”. This sounds like 'uh'.
Tip
U says “uh” like 'uh-oh, what's up?'
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent B in MB
Sound“m”·/m/
In MB at the end of a word, the B is silent! Like in 'lamb' and 'climb'.
When MB appears at the end of a word, the B is silent. You only pronounce the M.
Tip
B is quiet as a lamb at the end!
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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