Long Vowel U
Related Pages
Long U
Short O
Phonic Sounds
English for Kids
Videos and songs to help Kindergarten kids learn how to pronounce the long vowel U.
Learn words with Long Vowel U and silent E.
Learn words with O-E, -UE, and -EW.
The long “U” sound is unique because it can have two different pronunciations in English:
-
The /juː/ Sound (Yoo)
This is the more traditional “long U” sound and sounds like “yoo” (as in unicorn). It begins with a “y” sound followed by the “oo” sound.
Examples of /juː/ (Yoo):
U_E Words: cube, mule, fuse
Open Syllable Words: human, music, unit
UE Words: value, rescue, argue
EW Words: few, new, view -
The /uː/ Sound (Oo)
This version of the long “U” sound is a simple “oo” sound, as in flute. It doesn’t have the “y” sound at the beginning.
Examples of /uː/ (Oo):
U_E Words: flute, brute, rule
UE Words: blue, true, glue
EW Words: stew, grew, chew
OO Words: moon, food, soon
The following diagram shows some examples of words that have the long u sound. Scroll down the page for more examples and songs to help you learn how to pronounce words beginning with the long u sound.
Long Vowel U Song
Long Vowel Sound for the Letter U
Long U sound
How to make the “long u” sound?
Learn words that contain the long u vowel.
Silent E
The silent e at the end of a word makes the vowel before it say the long vowel sound while the e remains silent.
Lyrics:
Silent e, silent e
Come on and learn with me
Silent e, silent e
Will help you write and read
Silent e
When letter e is at the end of some words
It’s called silent e when it can’t be heard
Silent e jumps one consonant back to the vowel
And tells it to say the long vowel sound
Long U sound
Words with UE
Sue’s blue glue
The Long U sound
Words with EW.
Learning Short Vowels
| Short Vowels | ||
|---|---|---|
| Short A | Short E | Short I |
| Short O | Short U | Short Vowels |
Learning Long Vowels
| Long Vowels | ||
|---|---|---|
| Long A | Long E | Long I |
| Long O | Long U | Y (vowel) |
| Long Vowels | Short & Long Vowels | |
Compare Short & Long Vowels
| Short & Long Vowels | ||
|---|---|---|
| Short & Long A | Short & Long E | Short & Long I |
| Short & Long O | Short & Long U | |
Learning Consonants
Check out our most popular games!
Fraction Concoction Game:
Master fractions in the lab: mix, add, and subtract beakers to create the perfect concoction!
Fact Family Game:
Complete fact families and master the link between addition & subtraction and multiplication & division.
Number Bond Garden:
Clear the board by matching number pairs that sum to ten in this garden-themed mental math puzzle.
Online Addition Subtraction Game:
Practice your addition and subtraction skills to help the penguin find its mummy.
We welcome your feedback, comments and questions about this site or page. Please submit your feedback or enquiries via our Feedback page.