phonics

American  

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

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.

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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

• phonic adjective
• phonically adverb

Etymology

Origin of phonics

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

Compare meaning

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

• phonics vs. phonetics

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

The Mississippi Moon Shot: rigorous phonics training, accountability when students fail to learn—and then, crucially, school choice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026

Each school district must convince its teachers to choose phonics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

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

From BBC • Oct. 2, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2025

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 McMurry, Frank M. (Frank Morton)