sl
Consonant blends
The sl sound in English: /sl/
IPA: /sl/ · Closest Arabic sound: سين + لام (سْلْ)
How to say it
The sl sound explained
Blend 's' and 'l': sleep, slide, slow.
Consonant blends: Two consonants in a row each keep their sound but are said quickly together, such as bl, st and tr.
With audio and meaning
Words with sl
Tap a word to hear it and repeat it with your child
Tip for parents and teachers
Say it slowly then fast: ssss-l-ow.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pronounce sl in English?
Blend 's' and 'l': sleep, slide, slow. The sound is /sl/, closest to the Arabic سين + لام.
Which words have sl?
Sleep (ينام), Slide (زحليقة), Slow (بطيء), Slip (ينزلق), Slice (شريحة), Slipper (شبشب).
What is the difference between a digraph and a blend?
In a digraph (like sh and ch) the two letters make one new sound; in a blend (like st and bl) each letter keeps its own sound and they are said quickly one after the other.
Consonant blends