let
/let/ UK /let/ · US /let/
A short e CVC word (ɛ) in the actions category. It belongs to the -et word family.
actionsHear let
Tap a sound to hear it on its own, or play the whole word below.
How to Say “let”
Blend the three sounds together slowly, then speed up: /l/ – /e/ – /t/ → let.
Example Sentences with Let
- Let me help.
- Let it go.
- The get and the let both end with the same sound.
- Say "let" slowly, then say it as one word.
How to Spell “let”
Children most often write this word as leat, elt, lett, leet. 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>let</strong> begins with the /l/ sound, so begin with "l".
- Say the word slowly three times, then write one sound per letter: <strong>l - e - t</strong>.
- The "e" in <strong>let</strong> says /ɛ/ with the jaw slightly open, like <em>bed</em>.
- Blend the last two sounds smoothly: <strong>le</strong> + <strong>t</strong> = <strong>let</strong>.
Phonics Tip for Let
"let" and "get" and "jet" share the ending /et/. Say them back to back so the child hears that only the first sound changes. That is the core of the -et family.
Fun Facts About Let
Every letter in <strong>let</strong> carries one sound: l says /l/, e says /e/, t says /t/. That is what makes it fully decodable — a child who knows the three sounds can read <strong>let</strong> on the first try, with no guessing from the picture. It belongs to the -et family, which has 6 other words in it: get, jet, met, net, pet, set.
More Words in the -et Family
Words that rhyme with let and end with the same sounds:
Related CVC Words
More words with the short e sound that have their own picture guide:
Other Word Families
Move between families:
Where to Practise Let
- All short e CVC words — 31 words
- The -et word family
- CVC flash cards — picture cards with audio
- CVC multiple choice quiz
- CVC sentences — read the word in context
- CVC worksheets