torch
nounA stick with material soaked in fuel at one end that burns to give light.
nounA portable lamp powered by batteries or electricity.
nounSomething that guides or helps people understand something, like a light in the dark.
verbTo light something up with a torch.
nounA tall flower with small red or orange blooms arranged on a spike.
Phonics breakdown
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
Phonics Rule: R-Controlled OR
When R comes after O, it makes the /ɔːr/ sound, like in 'for' and 'corn'.
OR makes the /ɔːr/ sound. Unlike ER/IR/UR which all sound the same, OR has its own distinct sound. The companion rule r_controlled_or_er covers the /ɜːr/ pronunciation after W (word, work).
Tip
OR — the horse in the corner says /ɔːr/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: CH Digraph
C and H together make a new sound: /tʃ/, like in 'chop' and 'much'.
When C and H are together, they don't say /k/ + /h/. They make a completely new sound: /tʃ/. This is called a digraph — two letters making one sound.
Tip
CH — choo choo goes the train!
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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