wave
nounA moving bump on the surface of water that rises and falls.
verbTo move your hand back and forth in the air to say hello or goodbye.
verbTo move something back and forth loosely and repeatedly.
verbTo signal or point to someone by moving your hand.
nounA sudden increase or rise in something that does not last long.
nounA shape with curves that bend first one way and then the other.
Syllables
1 syllable
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter W
The letter W makes the /w/ sound, like in 'win', 'wet', and 'web'. The lips round into an O shape.
W is a voiced bilabial approximant — the lips round tightly then open as voice flows. W is sometimes silent (write, wrong) and can act as a vowel in some combinations (aw, ew, ow).
Tip
W rounds your lips — make an O then say /w/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent E with A (Magic E)
In the a-consonant-e pattern, the E at the end is silent and makes the A say its name — like in 'cake' and 'make'. Teachers often call this the Magic E.
In the pattern a-consonant-e (like 'cake'), the final E is silent but it makes the A say its long sound /eɪ/. This is called the 'magic E' or 'silent E' rule.
Tip
Magic E makes A say its name!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter 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
Phonics Rule: Silent E with A (Magic E)
In the a-consonant-e pattern, the E at the end is silent and makes the A say its name — like in 'cake' and 'make'. Teachers often call this the Magic E.
In the pattern a-consonant-e (like 'cake'), the final E is silent but it makes the A say its long sound /eɪ/. This is called the 'magic E' or 'silent E' rule.
Tip
Magic E makes A say its name!
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.
Save words to study lists, build flashcard decks, and scan your own worksheets and books.