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

Example Sentences

Each school district must convince its teachers to choose phonics.

From 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".

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times