IRE Words
A searchable IRE word list for vocalic R practice, filterable by syllables and word type.
IRE is the vocalic R in fire, tire, and wire. The mouth travels the furthest here, gliding through the long i before the tongue retracts for the R, which is why IRE often comes last among the vocalic R targets.
All IRE words (51)
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51 results of 51 IRE words
Medial IRE (16)
Final IRE (35)
How to make the IRE sound
A vocalic R is R acting as the vowel of the syllable rather than as a consonant, as in car, water, and bird. The tongue shape is the same as consonantal R, but there is no vowel for it to lean on, which is why vocalic R often lingers after initial R is already correct. It commonly is not accurate until age 6 or 7.
Developmental ages from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
IRE sound questions
The vowel is a diphthong, so the mouth is already moving before the R even starts. That is more to coordinate than a single vowel plus R.