fox
/fɒks/ UK /fɒks/ · US /fɑːks/
A short o CVC word (ɒ) in the animals category. It belongs to the -ox word family.
animalsHear fox
Tap a sound to hear it on its own, or play the whole word below.
How to Say “fox”
Blend the three sounds together slowly, then speed up: /f/ – /ɒ/ – /ks/ → fox.
Example Sentences with Fox
- A red fox.
- The fox hunts.
- A fox ran past the farm.
- The fox has a bushy tail.
- Foxes live in the woods.
How to Spell “fox”
Children most often write this word as foxx, fox, foc. Those errors are useful — each one points to a specific sound the child has not yet connected to a letter.
- "x" makes two sounds at the end of a word: /k/ then /s/.
- The "f" needs the top teeth on the bottom lip — no extra "u" sound.
- Say "f-ox" and blend the /ks/ into a single hiss.
Phonics Tip for Fox
"x" is unusual because it is not a phoneme of its own — it always spells two sounds (/ks/ at the end, /ks/ in the middle as in "box").
Fun Facts About Fox
A fox's hearing is sharp enough to hear a mouse moving underground, and its thick tail works like a blanket — foxes curl up and use it to cover their nose and eyes in the cold.
More Words in the -ox Family
Words that rhyme with fox and end with the same sounds:
Related CVC Words
More words with the short o sound that have their own picture guide:
Other Word Families
Move between families:
Where to Practise Fox
- All short o CVC words — 41 words
- The -ox word family
- CVC flash cards — picture cards with audio
- CVC multiple choice quiz
- CVC sentences — read the word in context
- CVC worksheets