Kick - actions

kick

/kɪk/ UK /kɪk/ · US /kɪk/

A short i CVC word (ɪ) in the actions category. It belongs to the -ick word family.

actions

Hear kick

Tap a sound to hear it on its own, or play the whole word below.

How to Say “kick”

k
/k/
i
/ɪ/
ck
/k/

Blend the three sounds together slowly, then speed up: /k/ – /ɪ/ – /k/ → kick.

Example Sentences with Kick

How to Spell “kick”

Children most often write this word as kic, ikck, kickk, kiick. Those errors are useful — each one points to a specific sound the child has not yet connected to a letter.

  1. Start with the picture: <strong>kick</strong> begins with the /k/ sound, so begin with "k".
  2. Say the word slowly three times, then write one sound per letter: <strong>k - i - ck</strong>.
  3. The "i" in <strong>kick</strong> says /ɪ/, not the letter name "ih". The mouth stays relaxed.
  4. The ending "<strong>ck</strong>" is one sound (/k/). Two letters, one sound — do not let the child say two sounds there.

Phonics Tip for Kick

"kick" and "lick" and "pick" share the ending /ɪk/. Say them back to back so the child hears that only the first sound changes. That is the core of the -ick family.

Try it now: play the CVC flash cards and hunt for kick, or test recognition in the multiple choice quiz.

Fun Facts About Kick

Every letter in <strong>kick</strong> carries one sound: k says /k/, i says /ɪ/, ck says /k/. That is what makes it fully decodable — a child who knows the three sounds can read <strong>kick</strong> on the first try, with no guessing from the picture. It belongs to the -ick family, which has 5 other words in it: lick, pick, sick, tick, wick.

More Words in the -ick Family

Words that rhyme with kick and end with the same sounds:

See the full -ick word family →

Related CVC Words

More words with the short i sound that have their own picture guide:

Other Word Families

Move between families:

Where to Practise Kick