phonics

[fon-iks, foh-niks]

noun

(used with a singular verb)

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

2. Obsolete.,  phonetics.

phonics

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• phonically adverb
• phonic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of phonics¹

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

Example Sentences

When it was reintroduced this year, the Democrats assuaged unions by making phonics voluntary.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Simply joining in with his classmates' phonics practice was something his mum Claire says she "didn't dare to dream could happen".

Read more on BBC

After decades of debate over how to teach reading, a new bill aims to use phonics to solve the state’s literacy crisis.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Mr Briggs also claimed the changes were bearing fruit with improved pupil scores for phonics.

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Celestial was teaching something new for Long Beach Unified: phonics.

Read more on Los Angeles Times