StarSpell Word Lists

Main Word Lists

The lists make a comprehensive approach to spelling. Phonic patterns are presented in a rational order. There are also many lists for each main school subject, and lists of words with interesting connections. Over 600 lists, more than 4,500 words

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Important 'sight' words

Essential words 1

being and doing words
is was went had got
whereabouts words
to in on with up there
words for joining
and then but so
other useful words
the it of when
people words
you we he she

Essential words 2

people words
me my his him they
being and doing words
said were came have like go
whereabouts words
at out down back
useful words 1
that this all some for
useful words 2
not very big little

Essential words 3

people words
us our your their them
being and doing words
are will would could do be
more doing words
called going put saw made
whereabouts words
into off about over from
time (when) words
as after again now

Essential words 4

doing words
come took made found lived play want
question words
what when where why which who how
words for joining
if or once next
useful words
no yes other too away by

Other important words

being and doing words
been does done don't gave give goes make may must shall want
time words
afternoon awake before morning never soon today tomorrow yesterday
qualifiers
an any both every good many much old small these those
other useful words
around here just because myself only own please together under upon

Words by theme

fairy stories
castle dragon fairy forest prince princess magic spell wicked giant wishes witch
school
book classroom paper pen pencil read school teacher workbook write
family and friends
aunt baby boy brother child children father friend girl mother sister uncle
parties
balloons birthday cards crisps game presents cake sweets sandwich
outings
bus car coach minibus picnic play seat ticket train zoo
parts of the body
arms ears eyes face feet fingers foot hair hands head legs mouth nose toes
familiar places
bathroom bedroom garden home kitchen lounge shop supermarket town
pets
cat dog gerbil goldfish hamster horse kitten mouse pony puppy rabbit

Numbers, days, months, colours

numbers 1 to 10
one two three four five six seven eight nine ten
days of the week
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
months
January February March April May June July August September October November December
numbers 11 to 20
eleven twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen sixteen seventeen eighteen nineteen twenty
colour words
blue red yellow green black white purple brown

One letter for one sound

Short vowels

'a'
bag bad can cat had hat jam man ran
'e'
bed get hen leg net pen pet red set yes
'i'
pig bit hid him his lid lip big six win
'o'
box dog fox hot job lot not pop top
'u'
bus but cup cut fun mug mum sum sun
short vowels, plurals
beds cubs dots jugs legs nets pans pins rats

Final consonant blends

'-ll'
bell bill doll fell fill hill pill sell tell will
'-ss'
kiss fuss hiss boss less loss mess miss
'-ck'
duck back kick lock luck pack pick sack sick tick
'-ft'
left lift loft soft tuft
'-lk'
milk hulk bulk silk sulk
'-lt'
belt felt kilt melt pelt
'-mp'
bump camp damp imp jump lamp limp lump mumps pump
'-nd'
sand bend end hand land lend pond and send
'-ng'
king hang bang long lungs ring sing song wing
'-ing'
bending costing jumping resting singing sinking sulking
'-nk' as in bank
bank bunk honk pink sink sunk think wink
'-nt'
ant bent dent hunt pant sent tent went
'-sk'
desk dusk husk risk rusk tusk
'-st'
nest cost just list must best rest test west

Initial consonant blends

'bl-'
black blank blend blink blob block blot blunt
'cl-'
cliff clang click clamp cling clock clog club clump
'fl-'
flag flan flap flat fling flop fluff
'gl-'
glen glad glint gloss glum
'pl-'
plan planet plank plastic plum plump plus
'sl-'
slug slam slap slept sling slip slit slot slack
'br-'
brick bran brand brag brim bring brisk
'cr-'
crab crack cramp cress cricket crisp crop cross crust
'dr-'
dragon drag dress drift drill drink drip drop drum
'fr-'
frog frill frock fret from frost frond
'gr-'
grin grill grand grip grit grub gruff grunt
'pr-'
pram prank present press print prison prod prong prop
'tr-'
track traffic tramp trick trim trip trot truck trunk
'sc-'
scab scalp scan scoff scum
'sk-'
skull skill skim skin skip skid
'sm-'
smell smack smock smug smut
'sn-'
snack snag snap sniff snip snob snub snug
'sp-'
span spots spell spend spill spin spit
'st-'
stamp stand step stick stiff still sting stop stuck stunt
'sw-'
swing swank swell swift swig swill swim swam
'scr-'
scrap scrimp script scrub scruff scrum
'spl-'
splat splint split splendid
'spr-'
spring sprat sprig sprang sprint
'str-'
string strap strand strong struck
'qu-'
quilt quest quick quill quack quit quiz

'y' as a vowel

'-y' as in happy
family happy hobby funny lucky puppy very twenty
'-y' as in fly
fly cry dry by fry sky try

Letters combined for one sound

'ch', 'sh' and 'th'

'ch'
chips check chicken chimp chin chat much rich such
'sh'
ship cash crash fish shell brush shop wish
'th' as in tenth
tenth thank theft thick thin thing think thud thump
'th' as in them
that them then this with
'nch'
punch bunch finch hunch lunch munch pinch bench
'tch'
catch hutch kitchen match pitch scratch stretch switch witch

Vowels doubled: 'ee' and 'oo'

'ee' as in tree
tree see green meet sleep speed feet week feel
'oo' as in boot
boot cool food moon pool proof smooth soon spoon tooth
'oo' as in foot
foot cook book good hood hook look took wooden

Two different vowels

'ai' as in nail
nail afraid aim paid rain snail train wait
'au' as in haunt
haunt gaunt taut launch laundry taunt
'ea' as in beak
beak heat meal steam dream team seat
'ea' as in bread
bread breath dead deaf head health instead sweat wealth
'ie' as in shield
shield chief field grief brief shriek thief
'oa' as in coat
coat coach coal coast boat float goal loaf road soap
'oi' as in boil
boil coin joint moist oil point soil
'ou' as in cloud
cloud out about mouth around sound count ground
'ou' as in couple
couple country courage cousin nourish trouble young

Vowels with 'r'

'ar' as in garden
garden farm dark hard march market park spark star start
'er' as in fern
fern kerb herb perfect person stern term her
'ir' as in bird
bird girl first dirty shirt skirt third
'or' as in fork
fork for morning born short sort sport horse
'ur' as in church
church burst burn curl hurt turn Thursday fur
'air' as in chair
chair air fair fairy hair pair stairs unfair
'ear' as in ear
ear dear hear beard cousin year gear spear
'ear' as in earth
earth earn early heard learn pearl search learning
'ear' as in bear
bear pear swear tear wear
'eer' as in beer
beer cheer jeer peer steer
'oar' as in boar
boar hoard oar roar soar board
'our' as in flour
flour hour our scour sour
'our' as in four
four court fourteen pour your
'are' as in square
square care dare rare scare share spare beware
'ire' as in fire
fire bonfire admire fireman hire retire wire enquire
'ore' as in shore
shore more score before snore sore swore wore

Vowels with 'w'

'aw' as in paw
paw saw draw jaw law lawn yawn raw straw crawl
'ew' as in newt
newt few new dew stew
'ew' as in screw
screw grew flew drew threw blew chew
'ow' as in cow
cow clown crowd growl now how down vow brown
'ow' as in window
window grow show slow throw flow yellow

Vowels with 'y'

'ay'
spray crayon day play say away stay tray way
'oy'
boy annoy convoy employ enjoy loyal royal destroy toy

Vowels with 'gh'

'igh'
night high right sigh thigh tight
'eigh'
sleigh eighty neigh eight weigh weight
'aught'
daughter caught fraught naughty taught

'wh', 'ph', 'thr', and 'shr'

'wh'
wheat whack wheel whip whirl whiskers whisper
'wh', question words etc.
where whether which why when what
'ph'
alphabet dolphin elephant graph nephew orphan phantom photo
'thr'
thrush throb throng thrill
'shr'
shrimp shrill shred shrink shrub shrug

One letter alters another

'e' alters vowels (split digraphs)

'a-e' as in cake
cake came game late made same safe take
'e-e' as in swede
swede theme these complete delete
'i-e' as in five
five ride side time like slide bike white line quite
'o-e' as in note
note home hope hole rose stone those woke pole
'u-e' as in cube
cube compute fuse tube tune use
'u-e' as in flute
flute crude brute June plume rude rule
'e' as in hoe, blue
blue clue die glue hoe pie tie toe true

'e' alters 'c' and 'g'

'ce'
mice cell dance force audience race service space surface twice
'cei'
ceiling conceited deceit deceive perceive receive received
'ge'
cage angel garage general hinge huge orange stage strange
'dge'
badger badge bridge edge fidget fudge hedgehog judge midget sledge

'i' alters 'c' and 'g'

'ci'
circus cigarette cinder cinema acid citrus city civilian civil
'gi'
giant gin ginger magic origin original rigid

'y' alters 'c' and 'g'

'cy'
emergency fancy juicy mercy spicy fleecy
'gy'
gym energy stingy strategy

Final 'll', 'ld', 'nd' alter vowels

'a' as in ball
ball all call fall hall small snowball stall tall wall
'-ild' as in child
child mild wild
'-ind' as in blind
blind find grind kind mind rind
'o' as in gold
gold cold fold bold hold old sold told

'w', 'qu' alter 'a', 'ar' and 'or'

'wa' as in swan
swan swamp swallow wad wander want was wash watch
'war' as in warm
warm warmth warden warn warning warp wart
'wor' as in worm
worm word work world fireworks worse worship worth
'qua' as in quarrel
quarrel quantity quality squander squash squat

Words with silent letters

Silent vowels

silent final 'e'
cheese because give have horse house love pause please purse
silent 'u'
guard build disguise guarantee biscuit guess guide guilty guitar guest
'gue'
catalogue intrigue league plague rogue tongue vague

Silent consonants

'kn'
knife kneel knew knee knight knit knob knock knot
'wr'
wreck wrap wren wrench wring wrist write wrong
'mb'
comb climb crumb lamb limb numb thumb tomb
'gn'
gnome gnarled gnash gnat design reign sign
silent 'l'
yolk could half palm should stalk talk walk would chalk calf
silent 't'
whistle listen listening rustle thistle glisten wrestle castle
silent 'c'
scene scent science scientist scissors muscle
silent 'h'
hour heir honest honour
'rh'
rhea rhombus rhyme rhythm rhino rhubarb rhetorical

Prefixes, suffixes, roots

Living word-formation

compound words
birthday dustbin handbag lipstick milkman notebook sunset windmill
add 'anti-' to make a new word
anti-rust anti-work anti-noise anti-wrinkle
add 'ex-' to make a new word
ex-boyfriend ex-convict ex-serviceman ex-king ex-parrot ex-egg
add 'pre-' to make a new word
pre-punched pre-Roman pre-book
add 'pro-' to make a new word
pro-British pro-hunting pro-fitness pro-cycling
'-like' similar to
jewel-like pastry-like flower-like frog-like
'-wise' concerning
food-wise money-wise transport-wise fun-wise

Prefixes (OE) on real words

'a-'
asleep alike along around aside aloud awake across
'al-'
also always although already almost
'be-'
because before behind below beneath beside between beyond
'for-'
forget forsake forgive forbidden
'fore-'
forecast forefinger foreground forehead foreman foresee forewarn forecourt
'forth-'
forthcoming forthright forthwith
'un-' as undoing actions
unload unearth uncover undo untwist unwrap
'un-' as an opposite
uncertain unfair unfriendly unknown untidy untrue unwell unsafe uncertain unfair unfriendly unknown untidy untrue unwell unsafe
'with-'
withdraw withhold withstand

Prefixes (Latin) on real words

'de-' undo
defrost decode decamp deforested dethrone
'dis-' as negative
disconnect disappear disease dislike disagree distrust disorder
'en-' do, perform
enable encircle enlarge enforce enrich engulf encourage enquire
'im-' as negative
impossible impatient immortal immature imperfect impolite
'in-' as negative
incredible inactive indignity inhuman insincere invalid
'mis-' do wrongly
mishap mislead misprint misspell mistimed mistreat misunderstood misuse
'pre-' before
prehistoric preschool prepacked precooked prefix
're-' do again
renew replace review rehouse replay

Other common prefixes

'ab-' away from
absent abominable abrupt abound absorbent absurd abstain
'ad-' towards
admire admission address adjacent adore adventure advice advise
'com-' together
compare composed comfort company complete command comment
'con-' together
concert concern condemn confront connect conquer contain continue
'de-' down, from, away
detergent deflate destroy describe defer descend defence
'de-' as very
deserve deliver demand devastate
'dis-'
disposable disappointed discovery disgusting dismay
'ex-' out of
exit excluding excursion excavate except export extract
'im-' as into
immerse improve imbibe implode imply immigrant import
'im-' without
immediate immense immune immaculate imbalance impede
'in-' as negative
innocent individual inevitable infant injury
'in-' as into
inhabited include infect inflate inspire instruct intend infer
'per-' through
perforation perfume permit permanent perspire persuade performance persuasion
'pre-' before
predict prefer preserve preside presume pretend prevent
'pro-' before
process progress promise protect protest propose proceed prospect
're-' again
referee record relief remove request rearrange rehearse recollect
'sub-' under
submarine subject subdue submerged subside subtract suburbs

Further prefixes (Latin)

'anti-' against
antiseptic anticlimax antidote antifreeze anticlockwise
'bene-' good
benefit benefactor benevolent
'co-' together
coerce coexist cooperate
'co[ll]-' together
collaborate collate colleague collect colloquial
'contra-' against
contradict contraflow contravene
'co[rr]-' together
correct correspond corrode corroborate corrugated corrupt
'extra-' beyond
extraordinary extrasensory extraterrestrial extravagant
'i[ll]-' not
illegal illegible illicit illogical
'i[rr]-' not
irrational irregular irrelevant irreplaceable irresistible irresponsible irreversible
'inter-' between
interchange interfere intermediate international interrogate interrupt interval
'intra-', 'intro-' within
intravenous introduce introspection
'mal[e]-' bad
malevolent malnutrition malfunction maltreat
'mani-, manu-'
manicure manipulate manufacture manuscript
'non-' not
nonconformist nondescript nonentity nonplussed
'ob-' against, towards
obvious object obliged obliterate observe obsolete obstacle obstruct
'post-' after
post-date postgraduate postpone postscript
'super-' over
supervisor superimposed superlative supernatural supersede supersonic superstitious superfluous
'sus-' under
suspense suspicious suspect sustain
'trans-' across
transfer transatlantic transform translate transmit transparent transport
'ultra-' beyond
ultramarine ultrasonic ultraviolet
'ambi-' both, around
ambidextrous ambient ambiguous ambition ambivalent

Further prefixes (Greek)

'a-' not
amoral apolitical asymmetrical apathy atom
'amphi-' both
amphitheatre amphibious amphibian
'ana-' up,back
anachronism anagram analysis anatomy
'arch-' chief
archangel archbishop architect
'auto-' self
autograph automatic automobile autopilot
'epi-' on, over
epidemic epilogue episode epitaph
'hypo-' under, defective
hypochondriac hypocritical hypodermic hypothesis
'mega-' big
megaphone megabyte megastar megawatt
'meta-' after, changed
metabolism metamorphosis metaphor
'micro-' little
microphone microscope microwave
'para-' beside
parallel parable parabola paradox paramedic paranormal paragraph parasite
'sym-', 'syn-'
symmetry symphony sympathy symptom syndicate syndrome synonym synopsis
'tele-' far
television telegram telepathy telephone telescope

Common suffixes (OE)

'-en' gold > golden
golden earthen wooden silken woollen
'-ern' east > eastern
eastern northern southern western
'-ful' faith > faithful (adjectives)
faithful colourful careful harmful useful powerful truthful peaceful
'-ful' beauty > beautiful
beautiful merciful fanciful
'-fully' graceful > gracefully
gracefully cheerfully faithfully hopefully painfully truthfully carefully
'-ly' happy > happily
happily bodily busily angrily easily hungrily noisily
'-ish' fool > foolish
foolish darkish fiendish babyish greenish outlandish smallish
'-less' care > careless
careless airless breathless aimless countless effortless pointless
'-like' war > warlike
warlike childlike ghostlike lifelike sportsmanlike businesslike
'-ly' bad > badly
badly quietly quickly silently suddenly slowly wrongly
'-ly' queen > queenly
queenly cowardly friendly motherly beastly
'-most' inner > innermost
innermost topmost foremost
'-some' awe > awesome
awesome fearsome irksome quarrelsome tiresome troublesome
'-ward' down > downward
downward forward upward backward homeward
'-wise' like > likewise
clockwise likewise streetwise
'-y' greed > greedy
dirty greedy messy rubbery sulky weighty
'-y' shade > shady
shady noisy greasy hasty easy shiny slimy tasty
'-y' fog > foggy
foggy funny muddy witty tinny baggy spotty starry

Common suffixes (OE, Fr)

'-craft' needle > needlecraft
needlecraft handicraft witchcraft
'-dom' star > stardom
stardom freedom kingdom officialdom boredom wisdom
'-en' light > lighten
lighten harden strengthen weaken sweeten tighten
'-ette' diminutive
courgette cassette cigarette maisonette marionette serviette
'-ful' spoon > spoonful (nouns)
spoonful armful bucketful cupful mouthful
'-hood' adult > adulthood
adulthood childhood falsehood neighbourhood
'-let' diminutive
droplet booklet leaflet piglet ringlet starlet
'-ling' diminutive
gosling nestling seedling underling yearling
'-ness' sad > sadness
sadness fitness goodness kindness sickness carelessness eagerness darkness
'-ship' friend > friendship
friendship companionship citizenship hardship relationship
'-th' long > length etc.
length health ninth wealth width strength
'-ness' busy > business
business happiness bossiness juiciness readiness

Common suffixes (Latin)

'-able' reason > reasonable
reasonable breakable drinkable enjoyable bookable acceptable
'-ance' appear > appearance
appearance performance attendance clearance disturbance allowance
'-ant'
ignorant important hesitant significant triumphant
'-ence'
sequence evidence reference silence presence consequence difference
'-ent'
excellent independent different urgent absorbent persistent
'-ible'
incredible responsible sensible accessible collapsible digestible reversible visible
'-ious'
furious anxious obvious previous serious various
'-ive'
attractive active defective defensive effective expensive impressive
'-ment' measure > measurement
measurement advertisement movement payment treatment development engagement
'-ous' danger > dangerous
dangerous bulbous poisonous murderous thunderous
'-sion'
confusion fusion precision profusion revision tension
'-sion' explode > explosion
explosion decision conclusion invasion persuasion division
'-ssion'
mission compression confession discussion expression impression possession
'-tion' collect > collection
collection connection election invention suggestion exhibition
'-tion' illustrate > illustration
illustration completion demonstration relation relegation promotion pollution evaluation
'-tion' solve > solution
solution resolution revolution evolution
'-ure'
sculpture departure failure moisture pressure adventure culture

People/place suffixes

'-ant'
assistant immigrant servant informant attendant descendant inhabitant
'-ar'
beggar burglar liar scholar vicar
'-ary'
secretary missionary dignitary adversary
'-ee'
referee absentee employee payee refugee trainee
'-eer'
mountaineer engineer auctioneer pioneer volunteer
'-ent'
president agent correspondent resident student
'-er'
cleaner builder farmer painter speaker teacher worker
'-ess'
actress empress mistress princess tigress waitress stewardess
'-cian'
beautician electrician magician musician optician politician
'-ist'
chemist balloonist biologist pianist florist guitarist journalist cyclist
'-or'
actor editor narrator sailor sculptor visitor director
'-ster'
youngster fraudster pollster trickster speedster songster
'-ary' places
library apiary aviary dispensary granary
'-ery' places
bakery surgery monastery cemetery brewery colliery
'-ry' places
dairy quarry foundry country
'-ory' places
factory laboratory lavatory observatory territory dormitory

Further suffixes (Latin)

'-cy'
accuracy diplomacy delicacy conspiracy piracy bankruptcy fallacy
'-age' cover > coverage
postage coverage leakage passage blockage wastage
'-ancy'
infancy buoyancy pregnancy truancy discrepancy redundancy vacancy
'-ary'
dictionary library necessary ordinary temporary voluntary imaginary secondary
'-ate' verb
operate dedicate donate motivate activate punctuate vaccinate
'-ate' adjective
obstinate accurate affectionate literate numerate immaculate passionate
'-ice'
avarice prejudice cowardice justice malice
'-ience'
audience conscience convenience obedience patience
'-iety'
variety notoriety piety society anxiety
'-ity'
morality neutrality possibility probability reality
'-mony'
ceremony acrimony matrimony testimony
'-sion' convert > conversion
conversion diversion inversion subversion
'-ssion' procede > procession
procession accession concession recession
'-tude'
latitude attitude gratitude altitude multitude solitude fortitude longitude
'-ule' diminutive
globule capsule granule minuscule module molecule
'-ure' create > creature
creature enclosure pleasure

Further suffixes (L, Gr)

'-al'
equal annual central animal final hospital local natural personal several
'-ar'
lunar regular circular linear
'-ial'
aerial industrial material memorial radial terrestrial
'-ic'
artistic alcoholic athletic demonic historic magnetic metallic
'-id'
arid fluid frigid humid tepid vivid
'-ient'
ingredient obedient convenient gradient nutrient
'-ify'
fortify mortify beautify classify glorify magnify modify
'-ile'
agile juvenile mobile fragile fertile futile hostile
'-ine'
feline crystalline divine elephantine canine saline alpine
'-ior'
inferior superior interior exterior junior senior prior ulterior
'-is'
oasis basis bronchitis diagnosis emphasis analysis paralysis synthesis
'-asm', '-ism'
mechanism journalism enthusiasm sarcasm criticism atheism
'-ose'
grandiose comatose morose
'-scent'
adolescent convalescent effervescent fluorescent incandescent reminiscent
'-ology' study
apology mythology technology theology

Suffixes for tenses

'-ed' sounding as /ed/
mended delighted crowded painted shouted wounded waited greeted
'-ed' sounding as /d/
poured sailed rained showed growled teamed
'-ed' sounding as /t/
crashed asked dressed jumped puffed reached
'-ed' amuse > amused
amused dared dated droned hoped moved
'-ed' cry > cried
cried dried fried hurried married worried buried
'-ed' video > videoed
videoed echoed radioed vetoed
'-s' cry > cries
cries carries dries hurries worries
'-ing' carry > carrying
carrying dreaming going standing waiting
'-ing' carpet > carpeting
carpeting happening limiting targeting visiting
'-ing' dig > digging
digging getting hopping rubbing swimming
'-ing' grin > grinning
grinning referring travelling dialling stirring winning planning beginning
'-ing' write > writing
writing coming hoping caring moving
'-ing' with eye, -ie, -o, -oe
lying hoeing eyeing shoeing tying vetoing echoing radioing
'-ed' grab > grabbed
grabbed hopped knitted slammed sunned nodded

Suffixes for plurals

dot > dots
dots spots hills frills apples
baby > babies
babies cities daisies families pennies ponies puppies stories
monkey > monkeys
monkeys guys keys boys toys trays ways
half > halves
halves knives loaves shelves thieves wives wolves
roof > roofs
roofs chiefs chefs beliefs cliffs
kiss > kisses
kisses brushes coaches boxes matches
hero > heroes
heroes dominoes echoes cargoes potatoes tomatoes volcanoes
kilo > kilos
kilos photos pianos radios solos videos
irregular plurals
children women feet geese teeth lice mice men sheep salmon

High > higher > highest

high > higher
higher deeper longer older smaller taller younger
high > highest
highest oldest deepest fastest tallest longest smallest youngest
hot > hotter > hottest
hotter hottest redder reddest bigger biggest
large > larger > largest
larger largest whiter whitest simpler simplest fiercer fiercest later latest
happy > happier > happiest
happier happiest funnier funniest easier easiest healthier healthiest

Prefixes of quantity

'mono-' one
monocycle monocle monogamy monopoly
'uni-' one
unicorn uniform unique unit
'prim-' first
primate primary prime primitive
'bi-', 'bin-' twice
binoculars binary bicycle biscuit
'du-' two
duet duel duo duplicate
'tri-' three
tricycle triple trio tripod
'quad-' four
quadrilateral quadrant quadruplet
'cent-' hundred
centurion centipede century
'kilo-' thousand
kilometre kilowatt kilohertz
'mill-' thousand
millennium millimetre millilitre millisecond
'pan-, panto-' all
pantomime panorama panning panacea
'omni-' all
omnivorous omnipotent omniscient
'poly-' many
polygon polytechnic polythene
'multi-' many
multiplication multitude multimedia multipurpose
'semi-' half
semicolon semicircle semiconductor

Roots (Latin)

'-ann-' year
anniversary annual annuity biennial perennial
'-aqua-' water
aquarium aquamarine aqueduct subaqua aqualung
'-cav-' hollow
excavate cave cavity concave
'-duc-' lead
aqueduct conductor duke introduce product deduct ductile education
'-fort-' strong
comfort effort force fortify fortress reinforce
'-miss-' send
missile omission permission transmission commission missionary admission
'-mort-' death
murderous mortgage mortal mortify immortal
'-pend-' hang
pendant appendix depend independent pending suspense pendulum
'-port-' carry
portable import report support export transport
'-scrib-' write
scribe inscribe scribble description postscript script nondescript
'-terr-' the earth
subterranean inter extraterrestrial terrace terrain terrier
'-vis-' see
invisible advice provide revision television videos survey envy

Roots (Greek)

'aero-' air
aeroplane aerobatics aerobics aerodrome aerodynamic
'-ast-' star
asteroid astronomy asterisk disaster astronaut
'-bio-' life
amphibious biography biology antibiotic biosphere
'-chron-' time
anachronism chronic chronicle synchronous chronology
'-gram-' letter
hologram diagram grammar programme anagram
'-graph-' writing
autograph paragraph photograph graphite geography graph
'hydro-' water
hydrofoil hydrogen dehydrated hydraulic hydrotherapy
'-logo-' word
dialogue prologue biology illogical technology
'-phil-' love
philatelist philanthropist philosopher anglophile
'-phon-' sound
microphone telephone symphony cacophony phonetics
'-photo-' light
photocopier photograph photogenic photon photosynthesis telephoto
'-poli-' city
politician politics cosmopolitan metropolis
'-scope' view
microscope periscope telescope scope stethoscope
'-techne-' art or skill
technician technology technophobia technical polytechnic pyrotechnics technique
'-theo-' a god
theology atheist enthusiasm
'-zoo-' animal
zoo zoology zodiac protozoan

Further explorations

Syllables and spelling

compound words
birthday dustbin handbag lipstick milkman notebook sunset windmill
split like kit-ten
kitten hidden cotton lesson paddock puffin rabbit sudden
split like bas-ket
basket napkin plastic pumpkin zebra panda picnic trumpet
split like lem-on
lemon finish habit body metal robin shadow visit
split like la-bel
label hotel minus moment pilot pupil secret silent stupid
split like du-et
duet diet lion poem triumph

More vowel sounds

'a' as in bath
bath ask after class fast father glass last plant
'ei' as in eight
eight freight neigh neighbour reindeer sleigh vein weight
'ei' as in ceiling
ceiling conceited deceit deceive perceive receive
'o' as in dove
dove come brother front glove money mother other some done
'oor' as in door
door floor moor poor
sounds of 'ough'
rough enough cough thought thorough through tough bough dough
'u' as in bull
bull bush full pull push put
'y' as in python
python nylon cycle rhyme style reply
'y' as in crystal
crystal gym mysterious pyramid rhythm sympathy syrup
'a' as in acorn
acorn angel paper able
'e' as in demon
demon lenient secret she recent decent
'i' as in minus
minus idle sidle triangle climb
'o' as in over
over only holy open
'u' as in uniform
uniform unicorn unit truth tunic puny

More consonant sounds

'ch' sounds as /k/
anchor ache chemist Christmas echo scheme school stomach
'ch' sounds as /sh/
chalet charade chassis chef chiffon machine parachute sachet
'ci' sounds as /sh/
artificial conscience conscious crucial efficient official precious social special sufficient
other /sh/ sounds
ocean initial mission national action pension ration sugar sure
'gh' sounds as /f/
cough enough rough tough trough laugh

Patterns in word endings

'-ar' as in cellar
cellar collar mortar sugar vinegar
'-el' as in angel
angel kennel label level model parcel quarrel travel
'-ery' as in jewellery
jewellery machinery stationery confectionery embroidery finery lottery
'-ey' as in donkey
donkey chimney honey journey money monkey turkey valley
'-il' as in daffodil
daffodil council civil fossil lentil pencil stencil utensil
'-le' as in cradle
cradle cable ladle maple noble sidle table
'-le' as in ankle
ankle bundle candle handle grumble nimble simple single
'-le' as in apple
apple battle bottle bubble cuddle dribble gobble middle

Words ending in vowels

'-a'
banana camera cinema cocoa saga umbrella vanilla zebra
'-i'
fungi alibi graffiti hi-fi macaroni safari spaghetti taxi
'-o'
photo echo hero cargo potato tomato volcano zero
'-u'
caribou emu flu gnu impromptu menu tutu
'-ea'
rhea idea nausea panacea area
'-ee'
chimpanzee coffee committee degree guarantee jubilee pedigree toffee
'-oo'
bamboo cuckoo hullabaloo igloo shampoo tattoo

Homophones

phoneme /r/ (rat)
write right wring ring wrap rap
long phoneme /ay/ (day)
great grate rain reign rein wait weight weigh way
long phoneme /air/ (hair)
bear bare pair pear their there stair stare
long phoneme /ee/ (see)
flea flee meat meet read reed peace piece
long phoneme /oh/ (no)
sew so lone loan road rowed
spellings of /ohl/ (bowl)
hole whole soul sole hold holed bold bowled
long phoneme /or/ (north)
board bored for four saw sore
phoneme /n/ (net)
knot not knew new know no knight night
other homophones
deer dear allowed aloud lessen lesson weather whether
phoneme /s/ (sit)
cereal serial licence license practice practise
other consonant phonemes
hole whole write right one won know no knew new where wear
3-way homophones
two too to their there they're

Interesting derivations

from people's names
cardigans sandwiches wellingtons diesel
from mythical characters
atlas cereal hygiene martial music panic titanic volcano
from places
canter academy currant denim indigo swede tangerine port
from acronyms
scuba nylon quango quasar radar laser sonar yuppie
words with unusual histories
confetti diary salary tawdry tennis omnibus
shortened words
taxicab navvy fridge telly exam zoo

Words from other tongues

words from North America
skunk moccasin moose totem tomahawk
words from Arabic
mattress alcohol hazard sofa
words from Dutch
buoy skipper snoop yacht easel brandy
words from French
meringue mayonnaise bouquet souvenir duvet queue
words from Gaelic
slogan whisky whiskey clan bard
words from German
poodle delicatessen dachshund waltz nickel
words from Hindi
cot shampoo bungalow chutney
words from Italian
piano motto pizza replica serenade spaghetti studio umbrella
words from Japanese
karate tycoon futon karaoke
words from Persian (Farsi)
bazaar caravan shawl taffeta
words from Spanish
alligator canyon mosquito plaza ranch stampede lasso
words from Turkish
coffee kiosk tulip turban

Words often misspelled

business words 1
correspondence address business accommodation faithfully necessary sincerely committee
business words 2
clerk certainly approval communication delivery height immediately liaise weight
business words 3
authority efficiency limited marketing mortgage procedure profited purchase recommendation suggestion
are letters doubled? 1
occurred occurrence omission omitted reference referred
are letters doubled? 2
prefer preference preferred transfer transferable transferred
awkward words 1
journey leisure medicine people quarter vehicle water woman women yacht
awkward words 2
beautiful separate desperate embarrassed especially exaggerate interesting lovely opposite suppose
confusing homophones 1
check cheque canvas canvass currant current
confusing homophones 2
stationery stationary licence license principal principle practice practise formerly formally
words often confused 1
accept except advice advise loose lose quiet quite wander wonder were where
words often confused 2
human humane decease disease emigrant immigrant affect effect eligible illegible eminent imminent

Curriculum subject lists

English

textual sources 1
novel biography drama fiction literature autobiography poem poetry genre
textual sources 2
horror comedy farce ballad legend mystery myth satire sci-fi sonnet thriller tragedy romance
textual sources 3
advertisement account article brochure bulletin essay magazine newspaper pamphlet report leaflet
text analysis 1
character context criticism depth description favourite paraphrase portrayal quotation setting style theme vocabulary
text analysis 2
chapter clause conclusion dialogue episode extract introduction layout narrative paragraph phrase scene sentence title subtitle
text analysis 3
argument bias communicate draft editing idea irrelevant objective opinion persuasive relevant subjective summary
skills of writing
allegory alliteration ambiguity assonance imagery irony metaphor motif onomatopoeia personification rhyme rhythm simile suspense hyperbole
non-print media
cassette cinema commentary film headline lighting listen radio screen theatre video view visual watch
finding your way
alphabetical bibliography caption catalogue contents dictionary encyclopedia illustration index library reference research thesaurus glossary
people in the media
actor advertiser author cameraman correspondent director editor journalist narrator playwright poet presenter producer reporter scriptwriter
parts of speech
adjective adverb conjunction definite demonstrative indefinite noun participle preposition pronoun verb
punctuation
apostrophe asterisk brackets capital colon comma hyphen margin punctuation
words about language
accent consonant dialect grammar language prefix suffix tense vowel word jargon

Mathematics

numbers 1 to 10
one two three four five six seven eight nine ten
numbers 10 to 100 (+ 1000)
eighty fifty forty hundred ninety seventy sixty ten thirty twenty thousand
numbers 1st to 10th
eighth fifth first fourth ninth second seventh sixth tenth third
numbers 10th to 100th
eightieth fiftieth fortieth hundredth ninetieth seventieth sixtieth tenth thirtieth twentieth
arithmetic terms 1
equal addition multiplication division fraction remainder factor multiple increase decrease coefficient consecutive indices total difference
arithmetic terms 2
negative positive decimal zero mathematics computation approximate numerator denominator recurring integer
arithmetic terms 3
minus factor multiple quotient ratio notation inverse index
algebra terms
brackets variable simplify ratio equation formula proportional substitution polynomial formulae quadratic reduce simultaneous substitute function
handling data 1
percentage average diagram chart graph frequency pictogram median survey tally maximum minimum intercept gradient linear quadratic
handling data 2
deviation sampling randomness frequency questionnaire cumulative interquartile correlation inference discrete probability diagrammatic statistics median
geometric terms 1
angle area centre circle diameter height length straight width bisector transversal
geometric terms 2
circumference rotation transformation diagonal elevation cyclic tessellation horizontal vertical curved reflection
shapes 1
quadrilateral pentagon hexagon heptagon octagon nonagon decagon rhombus rectangle tetrahedron triangle circle cuboid
shapes 2
parallel cylinder prism pyramid symmetry breadth diagonal height horizontal straight vertical volume
angles
reflex obtuse acute supplementary complementary exterior interior adjacent alternate
properties of circles
radius diameter perimeter chord segment semicircle sphere tangent ellipse sector circumference
triangles
equilateral scalene isosceles congruent similar triangular hypotenuse

Science

experimental procedures 1
analyse observe comparison measure investigate evidence conclusion evaluation variables
experimental procedures 2
evaporate dissolve distil condensation dilute filter distillation filtration
experimental equipment
apparatus laboratory thermometer beaker Bunsen titration pipette burette conical photometer equipment gauge funnel balance Liebig
materials - classification
crystalline compound aerosol aqueous amorphous mixture alloy polymer monomer reactant metal vitreous
materials - properties
semiconductor insulator ionic covalent semipermeable soluble density alkaline acid magnetic reactive inert volatile
materials - particles
molecule element proton neutron isotope ion electron orbital valency radical nucleus
physical change
distil filter condensation concentrate liquefy solidify dissolve evaporate crystallisation diffusion precipitation volatile
chemical change
combustion neutralisation oxidation reduction reaction equation explosion effervescence corrosion catalysis activation electrolysis cathode anode hydrophilic hydrophobic
forces and motion
barometric acceleration compression deceleration pressure gravity friction weight temperature
energy
energy momentum kinetic potential renewable conservation conduction dissipation convection radiation absorption
waves
prism transverse velocity reflection refraction amplitude diffraction radiation longitudinal frequency microwave ultraviolet transparent decibel trough
electricity/magnetism
transformer polarity induction electromagnetic electrostatic dynamo particle static attraction repulsion rectifier ammeter voltmeter
electrical circuits
resistor integrated voltage resistance insulation filament transistor capacitor ampere ohm diode impedance capacitance
life - cells
gene hybrid inheritance organelle nucleus membrane cytoplasm chromosome meiosis mitosis gamete ciliated evolution fertilisation conception reproduction
life - plants 1
germination moisture chlorophyll pollination humus transpiration photosynthesis diffusion osmosis
life - plants 2
stamen chloroplast stigma capsule rhizome monocotyledon dicotyledon anther style ovary ovule pollen
life - animals
respiration circulation herbivore carnivore omnivore reptile mammal amphibian nocturnal migratory habitat parasite producer consumer vertebrate wait
life - health
bacteria virus organism infection toxin immune inflammation deficiency fever syndrome immunisation

History

politics and government 1
monarchy fascism republic totalitarian democracy nationalism dictatorship communism restoration empire
politics and government 2
heir political propaganda revolution referendum suffrage treason abdicate Suffragette Luddite
social 1
marriage feudal census reform inequality abolition workhouse civil disease plague
social 2
serf settlement immigrant emigrant slavery nobility clergy pauper society peasant
economic
factory industrial agricultural nationalisation privatisation Depression poverty exploitation quota duty subsidy commerce piracy laissez-faire engineering
religious
monastery belief religion symbol worship Dissolution Catholic Reformation Protestant nonconformist pilgrimage superstition persecution
diplomacy
treaty ambassador independence empire colony unification rebellion exploration negotiation commonwealth relations
government
colony colonisation dynasty constitutional government imperialism imperial independence parliament politics political reign republic
warfare
battle armies conquest invasion victory strategy retreat armour armistice holocaust conscription recruitment mercenary soldier
general terms
museum evidence chronology century eyewitness archive prehistoric medieval neolithic archaeology

Geography

physical features
continent valley island ocean estuary mountain gorge tributary delta glacier watershed confluence source
industry
manufacturing location leisure business location industry employment primary secondary tertiary accessibility
geological terms
earthquake fossil sedimentary igneous metamorphic lava limestone granite tectonic magma volcano epicentre Richter
ecological terms
pollution environment greenhouse deforestation renewable conservation sustainable desertification stewardship overfishing famine global
climate
temperature climate monsoon equatorial atmosphere humidity thermometer precipitation
weather
precipitation rainfall sunshine flood isobar meteorology anticyclone depression pressure gradient forecast drought gauge barometer
ecosystems
savannah tundra steppe prairie deciduous coniferous fauna flora desert habitat biomass ecosystem
population
country colony urban suburban rural distribution residential amenities population demography urbanisation conurbation
some european lands
Belgium Denmark France Germany Greece Ireland Italy Netherlands Portugal Spain Finland Sweden Luxembourg
farming
agriculture irrigation arable livestock rotation pastoral cereal diversification
natural hazards
avalanche tsunami cyclone heatwave typhoon tornado hurricane blizzard earthquake flood volcano
maps
latitude longitude contour meridians parallels reference equator
processes
eruption transport deposition erosion weathering

Design and Technology

designing
projection criteria specification elevation dimension layout graphic perspective estimate isometric design research
tools and equipment
adhesive chisel hacksaw screw bradawl pliers machine scissors hammer
materials and components
manufacture flexible rigid thermoset textile durability tolerance tensile suitability component thermoplastic strength quality
processes and techniques
moulding assemble modify compression attach separate
systems and control
mechanical pneumatic feedback sensor electrical electronic device circuit switch
structures
bridge suspension maintenance unstable buckle cantilever structure efficiency reliability reinforce tension
general terms
design materials structure technology construction measure analysis evaluation
food hygiene 1
bacteria hygiene listeria salmonella poisoning degrees centigrade conditions intestines spread sneeze uncovered
food hygiene 2
refrigerator temperatures bleaching disinfectant boiling freezer gloves touching detergent
food preparation
stirring whisking mixing chopping grating rubbing folding dicing slicing peeling defrosting
kitchen equipment
utensils opener grater whisk potato-peeler knife rolling-pin scissors mixer scales measuring sieve chopping-board
textile fibres 1
cotton wool silk flax hemp jute sisal hide leather natural fibre yarn
textile fibres 2
mohair polyester nylon viscose acrylic tweed worsted corduroy towelling cashmere man-made synthetic
textile properties
absorbent stretchy waterproof shrink hard-wearing lightweight crease-resistant fleecy texture delicate comfortable
textile processors
spinning dyeing printing weaving knitting felting bonding tufting silk-screen batik tie-dyeing roller
sewing
thread shuttle stitching overlock tapestry embroidery crochet bobbin
talk about clothing
footwear fashion accessories duvet uniform trend colour
fabric care
washing drying ironing dry-cleaning instructions
shopping
customer franchise aftercare multiple mail-order return
cooking
boiling grilling baking simmering frying reheating timing
nutrition
diet carbohydrate protein unsaturated cholesterol balanced vitamins minerals digestion fibre vegetarian vegan

ICT

handling information 1
database delete information insert loading processing software access spreadsheet quantitative qualitative analysis data
handling information 2
clicking numeric function icon image record cell column scale field file
control and modelling
robot simulation feedback sensor variable interface procedure measurement logging
equipment
computer hardware keyboard monitor microprocessor memory silicon binary barcode pixel laser plotter scanner kilobyte megabyte
communication
fax communication satellite phone channel modem network digital teleworking internet import
using a computer
desktop back-up font replace paste menu cursor template virus search word-processor

Art

styles
medieval Renaissance Baroque Impressionism Expressionism contemporary abstract figurative Classicism Pointillism Surrealism Cubism realism
forms of art: 2-dimensions
photograph silhouette cartoon picture illustration stencil portrait batik tapestry embroidery fresco mural landscape mosaic collage caricature
forms of art: 3-dimensions
sculpture architecture ceramics artefact mask jewellery origami carving casting relief construction
talking about art
figure texture composition proportion tactile foreground background culture surface contrasting decorative abstract
tools and materials
canvas acrylic turpentine charcoal pastel bronze palette crayon tempera earthenware terracotta silk-screen
techniques
illuminate superimpose stipple redefine shading crosshatch highlight enlarge perspective

Music

performing
concert performance rehearsal acoustics amplifier recital microphone practice practise
composing
chord improvisation instrumental phrase rhythm accompaniment variation notation ostinato ostinato treble clef melody orchestration stave
listening
opera symphony Baroque Romantic concerto sonata oratorio reggae fugue Renaissance classical musical minimalist fusion
musicians
choir composer orchestra conductor duet quartet soloist busker minstrel ensemble vocalist gamelan trio instrumentalist
talking about music
modulation syncopation instrumentation harmony discord lyrics theme tonality homophonic polyphonic dissonance pentatonic chromatic descant
instruments
percussion piano strings brass woodwind guitar xylophone bassoon oboe cello saxophone sitar glockenspiel timpani clarinet
voices
soprano alto tenor bass contralto
elements of music
tempo timbre texture pitch duration dynamics silence

Physical Education

games
cricket badminton volleyball hockey rounders netball referee coach fielding offside attacker defender court tennis umpire
gymnastic activities
gymnastics rolling balancing somersault trampoline vault approach apparatus
athletic activities
relay athletics hurdles discus baton competition javelin jogging decathlon pentathlon marathon attempt disqualification sprint
outdoor activities
orienteering adventurous canoeing climbing abseiling obstacle navigation survival kayak
swimming
breaststroke synchronised resuscitation medley propulsion gala backstroke butterfly competitor diving
fitness/training
aerobic rotation abduction adduction extension isotonic isometric flexibility endurance technique stretching repetitions circuit
the body
muscle adrenaline dislocate concussion respiration nutrition dehydration deficiency circulatory vertebral hygiene injury
dance
ballet choreography rhythm ballroom co-ordination interpretation performance expression

Religious Education

religions
Christianity Islam Hinduism Buddhism Judaism Jainism Baha'i Rastafarianism Sikhism Shintoism Confucianism Taoism
religious practice
prayer meditation worship chanting ceremony kneeling prostration baptism wedding funeral yoga rite miracle service
places of worship
monastery abbey temple mosque gurdwara church cathedral chapel synagogue mandir
people and religion
priest vicar monk bishop archbishop mullah rabbi ascetic worshipper congregation clergyman saint guru disciple yogi
religious groups
Catholic Protestant Evangelical Shia Sunni Mahayana Theravada Orthodox liberal Reform

Drama

creating 1
audience stimulus brainstorm target improvisation issue theme topic confrontation conflict rehearse message
creating 2
scene action tension suspense scenario storyboard dialogue monologue speech context direction
presenting
costume make-up management design theatre lighting effect sound
form
dance drama movement mime improvisation
style
review documentary farce surreal comedy tragedy musical fantasy drama
media
television radio theatre video cinema

PSHE

personal
approve approval control discipline discussion encourage encouragement gender involve involvement prefer preference pressure reality reward
relationship
communication dependent relationship represent representative
problem areas
addict addiction racism racist sanction sexism sexist stereotype dependency
qualities
able ability achieve achievement effort emotion emotional generous generosity

DfE National Curriculum 2014 Lists
Phonics - Letters & Sounds Word Lists
Yr2 to KS3 Lists (Not 3.1)