vicious

/ˈvɪʃəs/

Syllables vi·cious

Stress VI-cious

Phonics Breakdown

vi

/vɪ/

short i

c

/ʃ/

ci = sh

ious

/əs/

schwa

Meaning

cruel, violent, or deliberately harmful

Sound Reference

💡

vi=/vɪ/(victim) + c=/ʃ/(special) + ous=/əs/(famous)

Example

The dog became vicious when it felt threatened.