nut
/nʌt/ UK /nʌt/ · US /nʌt/
A short u CVC word (ʌ) in the food category. It belongs to the -ut word family.
foodHear nut
Tap a sound to hear it on its own, or play the whole word below.
How to Say “nut”
Blend the three sounds together slowly, then speed up: /n/ – /ʌ/ – /t/ → nut.
Example Sentences with Nut
- Peanut.
- Nut and bolt.
- The but and the nut both end with the same sound.
- Say "nut" slowly, then say it as one word.
How to Spell “nut”
Children most often write this word as noot, unt, nutt, nuut. 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>nut</strong> begins with the /n/ sound, so begin with "n".
- Say the word slowly three times, then write one sound per letter: <strong>n - u - t</strong>.
- The "u" in <strong>nut</strong> says /ʌ/, not the letter name "uh". The mouth stays relaxed.
- Blend the last two sounds smoothly: <strong>nu</strong> + <strong>t</strong> = <strong>nut</strong>.
Phonics Tip for Nut
"nut" and "but" and "cut" share the ending /ʌt/. Say them back to back so the child hears that only the first sound changes. That is the core of the -ut family.
Fun Facts About Nut
Every letter in <strong>nut</strong> carries one sound: n says /n/, u says /ʌ/, t says /t/. That is what makes it fully decodable — a child who knows the three sounds can read <strong>nut</strong> on the first try, with no guessing from the picture. It belongs to the -ut family, which has 4 other words in it: but, cut, gut, hut.
More Words in the -ut Family
Words that rhyme with nut and end with the same sounds:
Related CVC Words
More words with the short u sound that have their own picture guide:
Other Word Families
Move between families:
Where to Practise Nut
- All short u CVC words — 47 words
- The -ut word family
- CVC flash cards — picture cards with audio
- CVC multiple choice quiz
- CVC sentences — read the word in context
- CVC worksheets