SnapPhonics

zoomorphic

zoomorphic/zoʊəˈmɔɹfɪk/adjective
  1. adjShaped like an animal or having an animal's form.

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Syllables

zoomorphic

4 syllables

Letters

Phonics breakdown

z

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

oo

Phonics Rule: OO (Short Sound)

OO sometimes makes a shorter sound, like in 'book' and 'good'.

The vowel team 'oo' sometimes makes the shorter /ʊ/ sound. This is less common than the long /uː/ sound. Words with short OO need to be learned individually.

Tip

Look in a book — short OO!

Examples

m

Phonics Rule: Letter M

The letter M makes the /m/ sound, like in 'map', 'mud', and 'mop'. Both lips press together with voice through the nose.

M is a voiced bilabial nasal — both lips press together while the voice hums through the nose. Double M (mm) makes the same /m/ sound.

Tip

M hums like mmm — press your lips and hum!

Examples

or

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

ph

Phonics Rule: PH Digraph

PH makes the /f/ sound, like in 'phone' and 'photo'. It comes from Greek!

The digraph 'ph' always makes the /f/ sound. These words usually come from Greek. If you see PH, just say /f/.

Tip

PH phones home with an /f/ sound!

Examples

i

Phonics Rule: Short I

The letter I makes a short sound, like in 'sit' and 'big'.

When the letter I appears in a closed syllable, it usually makes the short I sound /ɪ/. This is one of the trickiest short vowels because it sounds similar to short E.

Tip

I says /ɪ/ like an itch you can't miss.

Examples

c

Phonics Rule: Hard C

C makes the /k/ sound before A, O, U, or a consonant, like in 'cat' and 'cup'.

The letter C makes the hard /k/ sound when followed by A, O, U, or a consonant. This is the default C sound. Examples: cat, cup, coat, cold, crab, class.

Tip

C says K before A, O, U — cat, cup, coat!

Examples

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