phonics

American  

[fon-iks, foh-niks] / ˈfɒn ɪks, ˈfoʊ nɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

• phonics
  plural

1. a method of teaching reading and spelling based upon the phonetic interpretation of ordinary spelling.

2. Obsolete. phonetics.

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phonics British  

/ ˈfɒnɪks /

noun

1. an obsolete name for acoustics

2. a method of teaching people to read by training them to associate letters with their phonetic values

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• phonic
  adjective
• phonically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• phonics
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of phonics

First recorded in 1675–85; phon- + -ics

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Compare meaning

How does phonics compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• phonics vs. phonetics

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Explanation

Phonics is the science of sound. It’s also a way of teaching reading by focusing on how letters and groups of letters of the alphabet look and sound. Phonics comes from the Greek word phone for "sound." Phone is a familiar word as the thing you talk to people on, but it also shows up in other sound-related words like phonology (the scientific study of sounds in languages) and phonograph (an old device for playing music). Phonics is a way of teaching beginning readers to match letters and sounds. By associating letters with sounds, phonics helps people hear and say the words they’re seeing on the page.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

phonics

In general, education ministers in England have been more likely to set direction for teachers, highlighted by the approach to phonics.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

But in only one program, at Florida International University, did he classify more readings as “traditional”—on such basics as phonics or classroom management, for example, or classic books—than in any other category.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

Her priorities have included early education expansion, school greening improvements, literacy through phonics training, protecting immigrant students and focusing more budget resources on the highest-need schools.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 2026

A cookie-cutter approach—pounding phonics for every child—might work initially, but that stalls when you need to teach someone to understand a passage.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 8, 2026

B, considering other things more important in beginning school life than learning to read, strongly opposes any extensive and systematic use of phonics.

From How to Study and Teaching How to Study by Frank M. (Frank Morton) McMurry

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