kick
/kɪk/ UK /kɪk/ · US /kɪk/
A short i CVC word (ɪ) in the actions category. It belongs to the -ick word family.
actionsHear kick
Tap a sound to hear it on its own, or play the whole word below.
How to Say “kick”
Blend the three sounds together slowly, then speed up: /k/ – /ɪ/ – /k/ → kick.
Example Sentences with Kick
- Kick the ball.
- A powerful kick.
- The lick and the kick both end with the same sound.
- Say "kick" slowly, then say it as one word.
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.
- Start with the picture: <strong>kick</strong> begins with the /k/ sound, so begin with "k".
- Say the word slowly three times, then write one sound per letter: <strong>k - i - ck</strong>.
- The "i" in <strong>kick</strong> says /ɪ/, not the letter name "ih". The mouth stays relaxed.
- 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.
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:
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
- All short i CVC words — 52 words
- The -ick word family
- CVC flash cards — picture cards with audio
- CVC multiple choice quiz
- CVC sentences — read the word in context
- CVC worksheets