zone
nounAny area or region of the world.
nounAn area that is different from others because of something special about it.
nounA state of mind where someone is thinking very hard and doing something really well.
nounA section of a playing field or ice rink.
nounA plan where players guard an area instead of following one other player.
verbTo decide what something can be used for or divide an area into parts.
Syllables
1 syllable
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter Z
The letter Z makes the /z/ sound, like in 'zip', 'zoo', and 'buzz'. It buzzes like a bee.
Z is a voiced alveolar fricative — air hisses through a small gap with voice added, creating a buzzing sound. It is the voiced partner of S. Double Z (zz) makes the same /z/ sound.
Tip
Z buzzes like a bee — zzzzzip!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent E with O (Magic E)
In the o-consonant-e pattern, the E at the end is silent and makes the O say its name — like in 'home' and 'bone'. Teachers often call this the Magic E.
In the pattern o-consonant-e (like 'home'), the final E is silent but makes the O say its long sound /oʊ/.
Tip
Magic E makes O say its name!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter N
The letter N makes the /n/ sound, like in 'net', 'nap', and 'nut'. The tongue tip touches behind the upper teeth.
N is a voiced alveolar nasal — the tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth while voice hums through the nose. It is one of the most common consonants in English.
Tip
N hums through the nose — say /n/ and feel the buzz!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent E with O (Magic E)
In the o-consonant-e pattern, the E at the end is silent and makes the O say its name — like in 'home' and 'bone'. Teachers often call this the Magic E.
In the pattern o-consonant-e (like 'home'), the final E is silent but makes the O say its long sound /oʊ/.
Tip
Magic E makes O 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.