twelve
PronouncedTWEHLV
numThe number that comes after eleven and before thirteen.
nounA collection of twelve people or things.
Syllables
1 syllable
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: TW Blend
Sound“tw”·/tw/
TW blends /t/ and /w/ together, like in 'twin', 'twig', and 'twist'.
TW appears at the beginning of words and blends the /t/ stop and /w/ glide smoothly together.
Tip
TW is twice as fun — /tw/ twin, twig, twist!
Examples
When the letter E appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short E sound “eh”. This is often confused with short I by new readers.
Tip
E says “eh” like an egg on your head.
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter L
Sound“l”·/l/
The letter L makes the /l/ sound, like in 'lamp', 'leg', and 'lip'. The tongue tip touches behind the upper teeth.
L is a voiced lateral approximant — the tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth while air flows around the sides. Double L (ll) makes the same /l/ sound.
Tip
L is for lamp — light it up with /l/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter V
Sound“v”·/v/
The letter V makes the /v/ sound, like in 'van', 'vet', and 'vine'. Upper teeth touch the lower lip with voice.
V is a voiced labiodental fricative — the upper front teeth rest on the lower lip while air and voice flow through. It is the voiced partner of F. English words rarely end in V; they usually add an E (have, live, give).
Tip
V is for van — /v/ vibrates your lips!
Examples
When the letter E appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short E sound “eh”. This is often confused with short I by new readers.
Tip
E says “eh” like an egg on your head.
Examples
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