Important 'sight' words

Essential words 1

people words

he she we you

being and doing words

was went is got had

whereabouts words

in on up to there with

words for joining

then so and but

other useful words

it the when of

Essential words 2

people words

they him his me my

being and doing words

like have said came go were

whereabouts words

down at back out

useful words 1

all for this that some

useful words 2

very big little not

Essential words 3

people words

our their them us your

being and doing words

will would be are could do

more doing words

put made going saw called

whereabouts words

off into over from about

time (when) words

after again as now

Essential words 4

doing words

made play come lived found want took

question words

when what where which who why how

words for joining

if or next once

useful words

too yes other no by away

Other important words

being and doing words

been give must make want may goes don't done does gave shall

time words

afternoon tomorrow yesterday never today soon awake morning before

qualifiers

good much old small these those any every both many an

other useful words

own upon under myself together only please here just because around

Words by theme

fairy stories

giant dragon fairy magic spell castle witch forest prince wicked wishes princess

school

teacher classroom workbook read write paper pen pencil school book

family and friends

boy baby brother child girl friend father mother uncle sister children aunt

parties

balloons cards crisps presents sweets birthday game cake sandwich

outings

coach zoo bus play seat car minibus ticket picnic train

parts of the body

arms ears face fingers hands nose toes eyes mouth legs head hair feet foot

familiar places

garden home kitchen shop bathroom bedroom lounge supermarket town

pets

pony gerbil goldfish hamster mouse puppy rabbit horse dog kitten cat

Numbers, days, months, colours

numbers 1 to 10

eight five four nine one seven six three two ten

days of the week

Sunday Tuesday Thursday Wednesday Saturday Monday Friday

months

February December April August November October March May June January July September

numbers 11 to 20

fourteen twenty eleven twelve thirteen fifteen sixteen seventeen eighteen nineteen

colour words

white purple yellow green black blue brown red

One letter for one sound

Short vowels

'a'

ran jam hat man cat can bad bag had

'e'

get bed leg net hen red pen pet set yes

'i'

win six pig hid him his lid lip big bit

'o'

box fox dog lot not hot job pop top

'u'

sum sun mum cup cut fun mug bus but

short vowels, plurals

beds cubs dots nets legs jugs rats pins pans

Final consonant blends

'-ll'

pill sell hill doll fell fill bell bill tell will

'-ss'

boss fuss hiss kiss less loss mess miss

'-ck'

luck lock kick sack sick pick pack duck back tick

'-ft'

tuft soft loft left lift

'-lk'

milk hulk silk bulk sulk

'-lt'

belt felt pelt kilt melt

'-mp'

lump limp mumps lamp jump imp pump damp bump camp

'-nd'

bend and end hand pond send sand land lend

'-ng'

long lungs king ring sing hang bang song wing

'-ing'

sulking bending costing singing sinking resting jumping

'-nk' as in bank

honk sink pink bunk bank sunk think wink

'-nt'

tent went ant bent dent pant sent hunt

'-sk'

husk risk rusk desk dusk tusk

'-st'

west test best cost rest just list must nest

Initial consonant blends

'bl-'

black blank blend blink blot blob block blunt

'cl-'

clamp clang click cliff cling clock clog club clump

'fl-'

flag flan flap flat fling flop fluff

'gl-'

glad glen glint gloss glum

'pl-'

plan planet plank plastic plum plump plus

'sl-'

slack slam slap slept sling slip slit slot slug

'br-'

bring brim brisk brag bran brand brick

'cr-'

crab crack cramp cress cricket crisp crop cross crust

'dr-'

drill drink drip drop drum dress drift drag dragon

'fr-'

from frond frost fret frill frock frog

'gr-'

grand grunt grub gruff grill grin grip grit

'pr-'

pram prank present press print prison prod prong prop

'tr-'

trick trim trip trot truck trunk track traffic tramp

'sc-'

scoff scum scab scalp scan

'sk-'

skill skim skin skip skull skid

'sm-'

smack smell smock smug smut

'sn-'

snack snag snap sniff snip snob snug snub

'sp-'

spend spell span spill spin spit spots

'st-'

stamp stand stuck stunt step stick stiff still sting stop

'sw-'

swam swank swell swift swig swill swim swing

'scr-'

scruff scrum scrimp script scrub scrap

'spl-'

splendid splat splint split

'spr-'

sprang sprat sprig spring sprint

'str-'

strand strap strong struck string

'qu-'

quack quest quick quill quilt quit quiz

'y' as a vowel

'-y' as in happy

puppy lucky hobby happy family twenty funny very

'-y' as in fly

try dry cry fry fly by sky

Letters combined for one sound

'ch', 'sh' and 'th'

'ch'

rich much chat check chicken chimp chin chips such

'sh'

wish cash brush fish crash shell ship shop

'th' as in tenth

tenth thank theft think thin thing thick thud thump

'th' as in them

this them that then with

'nch'

punch pinch munch lunch hunch finch bunch bench

'tch'

catch hutch kitchen match pitch scratch witch switch stretch

Vowels doubled: 'ee' and 'oo'

'ee' as in tree

speed tree see meet week sleep feet feel green

'oo' as in boot

food cool boot smooth proof pool moon tooth soon spoon

'oo' as in foot

took wooden look hood hook book cook foot good

Two different vowels

'ai' as in nail

aim nail rain snail train wait paid afraid

'au' as in haunt

taunt haunt launch laundry gaunt taut

'ea' as in beak

beak heat meal team steam seat dream

'ea' as in bread

sweat wealth head health instead breath bread deaf dead

'ie' as in shield

field grief chief brief shield shriek thief

'oa' as in coat

soap road loaf coal coast coat boat float goal coach

'oi' as in boil

boil coin moist oil joint soil point

'ou' as in cloud

out mouth cloud count around about ground sound

'ou' as in couple

trouble young cousin country couple courage nourish

Vowels with 'r'

'ar' as in garden

march market park dark farm hard garden spark star start

'er' as in fern

stern term fern person perfect kerb herb her

'ir' as in bird

skirt shirt first girl dirty bird third

'or' as in fork

sort sport for fork short horse morning born

'ur' as in church

curl hurt church burn burst turn Thursday fur

'air' as in chair

unfair stairs chair hair fairy fair pair air

'ear' as in ear

ear dear gear cousin beard spear hear year

'ear' as in earth

early earn earth pearl search heard learn learning

'ear' as in bear

pear bear swear tear wear

'eer' as in beer

steer beer cheer peer jeer

'oar' as in boar

hoard oar roar soar boar board

'our' as in flour

sour flour scour our hour

'our' as in four

pour fourteen four court your

'are' as in square

spare square care beware dare rare scare share

'ire' as in fire

retire hire fire fireman bonfire admire wire enquire

'ore' as in shore

wore sore swore before more score shore snore

Vowels with 'w'

'aw' as in paw

raw paw jaw lawn law crawl draw straw saw yawn

'ew' as in newt

stew dew few new newt

'ew' as in screw

screw flew grew drew chew threw blew

'ow' as in cow

vow cow brown clown down crowd growl now how

'ow' as in window

slow show grow flow throw window yellow

Vowels with 'y'

'ay'

tray way stay spray crayon away say play day

'oy'

loyal royal annoy boy convoy enjoy employ toy destroy

Vowels with 'gh'

'igh'

tight thigh right sigh night high

'eigh'

neigh sleigh eighty eight weigh weight

'aught'

taught daughter fraught caught naughty

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

'wh'

whack wheel whiskers whip whirl whisper wheat

'wh', question words etc.

where whether which why what when

'ph'

nephew phantom photo orphan alphabet graph elephant dolphin

'thr'

thrush throng thrill throb

'shr'

shrub shrug shred shrill shrimp shrink

One letter alters another

'e' alters vowels (split digraphs)

'a-e' as in cake

same made late game came cake take safe

'i-e' as in five

ride side time white bike five line like slide quite

'o-e' as in note

rose note hole hope home pole those stone woke

'u-e' as in cube

tune tube use fuse cube compute

'u-e' as in flute

brute crude flute June rude rule plume

'e' as in hoe, blue

pie hoe glue die clue blue true tie toe

'e-e' as in swede

these complete swede delete theme

'e' alters 'c' and 'g'

'ce'

audience dance force cell mice race service surface space twice

'cei'

receive received perceive ceiling conceited deceit deceive

'ge'

garage general cage angel orange hinge huge stage strange

'dge'

hedgehog judge midget sledge badger badge bridge fudge fidget edge

'i' alters 'c' and 'g'

'ci'

cigarette cinder cinema circus citrus city civilian civil acid

'gi'

giant ginger gin rigid origin original magic

'y' alters 'c' and 'g'

'cy'

mercy juicy emergency fancy spicy fleecy

'gy'

strategy stingy energy gym

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

'a' as in ball

hall fall all ball call small snowball stall tall wall

'-ild' as in child

wild mild child

'-ind' as in blind

blind grind find mind kind rind

'o' as in gold

old hold fold gold bold cold told sold

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

'wa' as in swan

swamp swan swallow wander want was wash watch wad

'war' as in warm

warp wart warden warm warmth warn warning

'wor' as in worm

word worth worm worse worship work world fireworks

'qua' as in quarrel

quarrel quality quantity squash squander squat

Words with silent letters

Silent vowels

silent final 'e'

purse please pause have horse house love give cheese because

silent 'u'

biscuit build guarantee guard guess guest guide guilty guitar disguise

'gue'

catalogue league intrigue plague rogue vague tongue

Silent consonants

'kn'

knob knock knot knee kneel knew knife knight knit

'wr'

wrap wreck wren wrench wring wrist write wrong

'mb'

tomb thumb lamb limb numb comb climb crumb

'gn'

design gnash gnat gnome reign sign gnarled

silent 'l'

should palm half could chalk walk stalk talk yolk calf would

silent 't'

wrestle castle thistle whistle glisten rustle listening listen

silent 'c'

scene scent science scientist scissors muscle

silent 'h'

hour honour heir honest

'rh'

rhino rhetorical rhubarb rhombus rhea rhythm rhyme

Prefixes, suffixes, roots

Living word-formation

add 'anti-' to make a new word

anti-noise anti-rust anti-work 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

compound words

windmill notebook handbag lipstick milkman sunset dustbin birthday

'-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-'

aside aloud asleep awake around alike along across

'be-'

because before between beyond beside beneath below behind

'fore-'

forecast forefinger foresee forewarn foreground forehead foreman forecourt

'un-' as an opposite

untrue untrue unwell unwell uncertain uncertain unfair unfair unfriendly unfriendly unknown unknown untidy untidy unsafe unsafe

'for-'

forgive forbidden forget forsake

'al-'

although always also already almost

'un-' as undoing actions

undo untwist unwrap unload uncover unearth

'forth-'

forthcoming forthright forthwith

'with-'

withdraw withhold withstand

Prefixes (Latin) on real words

'de-' undo

defrost decode decamp deforested dethrone

'dis-' as negative

disconnect distrust dislike disappear disease disagree disorder

'pre-' before

prefix preschool prehistoric prepacked precooked

're-' do again

renew rehouse replay review replace

'en-' do, perform

enforce engulf enable encircle enlarge enrich encourage enquire

'im-' as negative

impatient immortal immature imperfect impolite impossible

'in-' as negative

incredible insincere invalid inactive indignity inhuman

'mis-' do wrongly

misspell mistimed mistreat misunderstood misuse mishap mislead misprint

Other common prefixes

'de-' down, from, away

defer descend destroy describe defence deflate detergent

'ex-' out of

export excluding excursion excavate except exit extract

'im-' without

imbalance impede immaculate immediate immense immune

'in-' as negative

innocent individual inevitable infant injury

'per-' through

permanent perspire persuasion permit perforation performance perfume persuade

'pro-' before

process protect protest progress promise propose proceed prospect

're-' again

rearrange recollect record referee remove relief request rehearse

'ab-' away from

absent abstain abominable abrupt abound absurd absorbent

'ad-' towards

adjacent adore adventure advice advise address admire admission

'con-' together

continue concern concert condemn connect conquer contain confront

'de-' as very

deliver demand devastate deserve

'dis-'

disappointed discovery disgusting dismay disposable

'im-' as into

import imbibe implode imply immigrant immerse improve

'in-' as into

inflate include infect infer inhabited inspire instruct intend

'pre-' before

preserve preside presume pretend prevent predict prefer

'sub-' under

submerged subside subtract suburbs subdue subject submarine

'com-' together

company complete composed comfort command comment compare

Further prefixes (Latin)

'ambi-' both, around

ambidextrous ambient ambiguous ambition ambivalent

'bene-' good

benefit benefactor benevolent

'co[ll]-' together

collaborate collate colleague collect colloquial

'extra-' beyond

extraordinary extrasensory extraterrestrial extravagant

'mal[e]-' bad

malevolent malnutrition malfunction maltreat

'mani-, manu-'

manicure manipulate manufacture manuscript

'non-' not

nonconformist nondescript nonentity nonplussed

'super-' over

superfluous superimposed superlative supernatural superstitious supervisor supersede supersonic

'sus-' under

suspicious suspense suspect sustain

'trans-' across

transfer transatlantic transform translate transmit transparent transport

'ultra-' beyond

ultramarine ultrasonic ultraviolet

'contra-' against

contraflow contravene contradict

'co[rr]-' together

correct correspond corrode corroborate corrugated corrupt

'anti-' against

anticlimax anticlockwise antidote antifreeze antiseptic

'co-' together

coerce coexist cooperate

'i[ll]-' not

illegal illegible illicit illogical

'i[rr]-' not

irrational irregular irrelevant irreplaceable irresistible irresponsible irreversible

'inter-' between

interchange intermediate interrogate interrupt interfere international interval

'intra-', 'intro-' within

intravenous introduce introspection

'ob-' against, towards

object obliged obliterate observe obsolete obstacle obstruct obvious

'post-' after

post-date postgraduate postpone postscript

Further prefixes (Greek)

'a-' not

amoral apolitical asymmetrical apathy atom

'ana-' up,back

anachronism anagram analysis anatomy

'arch-' chief

archangel architect archbishop

'auto-' self

autograph automatic automobile autopilot

'epi-' on, over

epitaph epidemic epilogue episode

'meta-' after, changed

metabolism metamorphosis metaphor

'para-' beside

parable parabola paradox paramedic paranormal parasite paragraph parallel

'sym-', 'syn-'

symptom symmetry syndicate syndrome synonym synopsis sympathy symphony

'tele-' far

television telegram telepathy telephone telescope

'amphi-' both

amphibious amphitheatre amphibian

'mega-' big

megabyte megaphone megastar megawatt

'micro-' little

microscope microwave microphone

'hypo-' under, defective

hypochondriac hypocritical hypodermic hypothesis

Common suffixes (OE)

'-ly' happy > happily

noisily hungrily busily angrily bodily easily happily

'-less' care > careless

aimless airless breathless careless countless effortless pointless

'-fully' graceful > gracefully

truthfully cheerfully carefully faithfully hopefully painfully gracefully

'-en' gold > golden

earthen golden silken woollen wooden

'-ern' east > eastern

eastern northern southern western

'-ful' faith > faithful (adjectives)

colourful truthful useful peaceful powerful faithful harmful careful

'-ish' fool > foolish

babyish darkish fiendish foolish greenish outlandish smallish

'-like' war > warlike

businesslike childlike ghostlike lifelike sportsmanlike warlike

'-ly' queen > queenly

beastly cowardly friendly motherly queenly

'-most' inner > innermost

innermost topmost foremost

'-some' awe > awesome

awesome fearsome irksome quarrelsome tiresome troublesome

'-ward' down > downward

homeward backward upward downward forward

'-y' greed > greedy

dirty messy rubbery sulky weighty greedy

'-ly' bad > badly

quickly wrongly badly suddenly quietly silently slowly

'-wise' like > likewise

clockwise likewise streetwise

'-y' shade > shady

noisy greasy hasty shady shiny slimy tasty easy

'-y' fog > foggy

funny foggy muddy witty tinny baggy spotty starry

'-ful' beauty > beautiful

merciful fanciful beautiful

Common suffixes (OE, Fr)

'-ful' spoon > spoonful (nouns)

mouthful bucketful cupful armful spoonful

'-ness' sad > sadness

carelessness eagerness sickness darkness fitness goodness sadness kindness

'-craft' needle > needlecraft

handicraft needlecraft witchcraft

'-dom' star > stardom

boredom freedom kingdom officialdom stardom wisdom

'-hood' adult > adulthood

falsehood neighbourhood adulthood childhood

'-ship' friend > friendship

citizenship companionship friendship hardship relationship

'-en' light > lighten

weaken sweeten lighten harden strengthen tighten

'-ette' diminutive

cassette courgette maisonette marionette serviette cigarette

'-let' diminutive

booklet droplet leaflet piglet ringlet starlet

'-ling' diminutive

gosling nestling seedling underling yearling

'-th' long > length etc.

strength width wealth health ninth length

'-ness' busy > business

business happiness bossiness juiciness readiness

Common suffixes (Latin)

'-able' reason > reasonable

reasonable breakable drinkable enjoyable bookable acceptable

'-tion' collect > collection

connection election suggestion exhibition invention collection

'-tion' illustrate > illustration

pollution relation completion demonstration illustration promotion relegation evaluation

'-ant'

triumphant hesitant significant important ignorant

'-ence'

reference difference evidence presence silence consequence sequence

'-ent'

persistent urgent excellent absorbent different independent

'-ible'

incredible responsible sensible accessible collapsible digestible reversible visible

'-ous' danger > dangerous

bulbous poisonous murderous thunderous dangerous

'-ious'

furious anxious serious previous obvious various

'-sion'

tension confusion fusion precision profusion revision

'-ssion'

expression impression mission possession compression confession discussion

'-ure'

failure pressure moisture departure sculpture adventure culture

'-ance' appear > appearance

allowance disturbance clearance attendance performance appearance

'-ive'

attractive expensive defective active defensive effective impressive

'-ment' measure > measurement

payment measurement treatment advertisement movement development engagement

'-sion' explode > explosion

invasion conclusion decision division explosion persuasion

'-tion' solve > solution

evolution resolution solution revolution

People/place suffixes

'-ant'

servant assistant attendant descendant inhabitant immigrant informant

'-ar'

vicar liar scholar beggar burglar

'-ary'

adversary missionary dignitary secretary

'-cian'

politician beautician electrician magician musician optician

'-ee'

absentee employee payee refugee trainee referee

'-ent'

president agent resident student correspondent

'-er'

cleaner builder speaker worker farmer painter teacher

'-ess'

tigress waitress actress empress mistress princess stewardess

'-ist'

cyclist balloonist biologist pianist florist guitarist journalist chemist

'-or'

sailor actor editor narrator sculptor director visitor

'-ster'

youngster fraudster pollster trickster speedster songster

'-ory' places

dormitory lavatory observatory territory laboratory factory

'-ry' places

dairy country quarry foundry

'-ary' places

apiary aviary dispensary granary library

'-ery' places

monastery brewery cemetery colliery surgery bakery

'-eer'

auctioneer engineer mountaineer pioneer volunteer

Further suffixes (Latin)

'-ary'

voluntary temporary necessary library ordinary dictionary imaginary secondary

'-mony'

ceremony acrimony matrimony testimony

'-tude'

altitude attitude gratitude latitude multitude solitude fortitude longitude

'-age' cover > coverage

blockage coverage leakage passage postage wastage

'-ancy'

buoyancy infancy pregnancy truancy discrepancy redundancy vacancy

'-cy'

accuracy diplomacy delicacy conspiracy piracy bankruptcy fallacy

'-ice'

avarice cowardice justice malice prejudice

'-ate' adjective

immaculate accurate affectionate literate numerate obstinate passionate

'-ule' diminutive

capsule globule granule minuscule module molecule

'-ate' verb

activate dedicate donate motivate operate punctuate vaccinate

'-ience'

patience obedience convenience conscience audience

'-iety'

anxiety notoriety piety society variety

'-ity'

morality neutrality possibility probability reality

'-sion' convert > conversion

conversion diversion inversion subversion

'-ssion' procede > procession

accession concession recession procession

'-ure' create > creature

pleasure creature enclosure

Further suffixes (L, Gr)

'-al'

personal several natural local hospital central annual animal equal final

'-id'

arid fluid frigid humid tepid vivid

'-ior'

inferior superior interior exterior junior senior prior ulterior

'-ar'

circular linear lunar regular

'-scent'

effervescent fluorescent incandescent reminiscent adolescent convalescent

'-ile'

agile fertile fragile juvenile mobile futile hostile

'-ine'

canine crystalline divine elephantine feline saline alpine

'-ose'

comatose grandiose morose

'-ic'

alcoholic athletic artistic demonic historic magnetic metallic

'-asm', '-ism'

criticism journalism sarcasm mechanism atheism enthusiasm

'-is'

basis bronchitis diagnosis emphasis oasis paralysis synthesis analysis

'-ify'

mortify fortify classify glorify magnify modify beautify

'-ient'

obedient convenient gradient nutrient ingredient

'-ial'

memorial material radial aerial terrestrial industrial

'-ology' study

theology mythology apology technology

Suffixes for tenses

'-ed' sounding as /ed/

wounded waited delighted crowded painted shouted mended greeted

'-ed' sounding as /d/

sailed poured rained showed growled teamed

'-ed' sounding as /t/

puffed reached jumped crashed dressed asked

'-ing' carry > carrying

standing dreaming going carrying waiting

'-ing' dig > digging

swimming rubbing digging getting hopping

'-ing' write > writing

hoping moving caring coming writing

'-ing' grin > grinning

referring travelling grinning stirring beginning dialling winning planning

'-ing' carpet > carpeting

carpeting happening limiting targeting visiting

'-ing' with eye, -ie, -o, -oe

echoing eyeing hoeing lying shoeing tying vetoing radioing

'-ed' grab > grabbed

grabbed hopped sunned nodded knitted slammed

'-ed' amuse > amused

dared dated amused droned hoped moved

'-ed' cry > cried

cried dried hurried worried fried married buried

'-ed' video > videoed

echoed radioed vetoed videoed

'-s' cry > cries

carries dries hurries worries cries

Suffixes for plurals

dot > dots

dots hills frills apples spots

baby > babies

cities daisies families ponies stories babies puppies pennies

monkey > monkeys

boys guys keys monkeys toys trays ways

half > halves

shelves thieves wolves wives loaves halves knives

roof > roofs

beliefs chiefs chefs cliffs roofs

kiss > kisses

boxes coaches brushes matches kisses

hero > heroes

cargoes dominoes echoes heroes potatoes tomatoes volcanoes

kilo > kilos

kilos photos pianos radios solos videos

irregular plurals

men geese teeth salmon lice sheep children women mice feet

High > higher > highest

high > higher

deeper longer higher older smaller younger taller

high > highest

tallest deepest youngest fastest highest longest smallest oldest

hot > hotter > hottest

hottest redder reddest biggest hotter bigger

large > larger > largest

largest whitest simplest fiercest fiercer later latest simpler larger whiter

happy > happier > happiest

funnier happiest easier funniest happier healthier healthiest easiest

Prefixes of quantity

'mono-' one

monocle monogamy monopoly monocycle

'uni-' one

unicorn uniform unique unit

'prim-' first

primary primate prime primitive

'bi-', 'bin-' twice

bicycle binary binoculars biscuit

'du-' two

duet duel duo duplicate

'tri-' three

tricycle trio tripod triple

'quad-' four

quadrant quadruplet quadrilateral

'cent-' hundred

centurion centipede century

'pan-, panto-' all

panorama panning pantomime panacea

'omni-' all

omnivorous omnipotent omniscient

'poly-' many

polygon polythene polytechnic

'multi-' many

multimedia multipurpose multiplication multitude

'semi-' half

semicolon semicircle semiconductor

'mill-' thousand

millennium millimetre millilitre millisecond

'kilo-' thousand

kilowatt kilometre kilohertz

Roots (Latin)

'-aqua-' water

subaqua aquarium aqualung aquamarine aqueduct

'-port-' carry

import report support transport export portable

'-miss-' send

omission permission admission transmission commission missionary missile

'-ann-' year

anniversary annuity biennial perennial annual

'-cav-' hollow

concave cave cavity excavate

'-duc-' lead

aqueduct introduce deduct ductile education conductor duke product

'-fort-' strong

effort force fortify fortress reinforce comfort

'-mort-' death

immortal murderous mortal mortify mortgage

'-pend-' hang

independent appendix depend pendant pending suspense pendulum

'-scrib-' write

scribe inscribe nondescript postscript scribble script description

'-terr-' the earth

extraterrestrial inter subterranean terrace terrain terrier

'-vis-' see

envy videos revision advice television survey provide invisible

Roots (Greek)

'aero-' air

aeroplane aerobatics aerobics aerodrome aerodynamic

'hydro-' water

hydrofoil hydrogen dehydrated hydraulic hydrotherapy

'-phil-' love

philanthropist philatelist philosopher anglophile

'-photo-' light

telephoto photocopier photogenic photon photosynthesis photograph

'-techne-' art or skill

technician technophobia technical technology pyrotechnics polytechnic technique

'-graph-' writing

graphite autograph photograph paragraph geography graph

'-logo-' word

biology illogical prologue dialogue technology

'-scope' view

stethoscope microscope telescope periscope scope

'-gram-' letter

hologram grammar programme anagram diagram

'-phon-' sound

telephone microphone symphony cacophony phonetics

'-poli-' city

metropolis cosmopolitan politics politician

'-theo-' a god

atheist enthusiasm theology

'-zoo-' animal

zoology zodiac protozoan zoo

'-ast-' star

astronomy asteroid asterisk disaster astronaut

'-chron-' time

chronic chronicle synchronous chronology anachronism

'-bio-' life

amphibious biography antibiotic biosphere biology

Further explorations

Syllables and spelling

compound words

windmill notebook handbag lipstick milkman sunset dustbin birthday

split like kit-ten

sudden hidden cotton kitten paddock puffin rabbit lesson

split like bas-ket

plastic napkin pumpkin zebra basket panda picnic trumpet

split like lem-on

visit robin shadow lemon metal body habit finish

split like la-bel

label hotel minus moment pilot pupil secret silent stupid

split like du-et

triumph lion poem diet duet

More vowel sounds

'u' as in bull

full bull bush pull push put

'a' as in bath

plant last class after bath ask glass father fast

'ei' as in eight

eight freight neigh neighbour sleigh reindeer vein weight

'ei' as in ceiling

perceive receive deceive deceit conceited ceiling

sounds of 'ough'

cough bough enough dough rough tough through thorough thought

'oor' as in door

poor moor door floor

'o' as in dove

front glove dove come brother mother money other some done

'y' as in crystal

syrup sympathy pyramid rhythm mysterious crystal gym

'y' as in python

cycle nylon rhyme python style reply

'a' as in acorn

able paper acorn angel

'e' as in demon

she demon lenient recent decent secret

'i' as in minus

minus triangle sidle idle climb

'o' as in over

holy over only open

'u' as in uniform

unit tunic puny truth uniform unicorn

More consonant sounds

'ch' sounds as /k/

stomach school scheme Christmas chemist anchor ache echo

'gh' sounds as /f/

enough cough rough trough tough laugh

'ci' sounds as /sh/

sufficient special social precious official conscience conscious artificial efficient crucial

'ch' sounds as /sh/

chef chiffon chalet charade chassis machine parachute sachet

other /sh/ sounds

sugar sure pension ration ocean national mission initial action

Patterns in word endings

'-il' as in daffodil

council civil daffodil fossil lentil pencil stencil utensil

'-ery' as in jewellery

stationery confectionery embroidery finery lottery machinery jewellery

'-ar' as in cellar

mortar collar cellar sugar vinegar

'-ey' as in donkey

valley turkey chimney monkey money journey honey donkey

'-le' as in cradle

cradle table sidle cable ladle maple noble

'-le' as in ankle

bundle grumble nimble handle candle ankle simple single

'-le' as in apple

middle battle bottle bubble cuddle dribble gobble apple

'-el' as in angel

travel angel level model kennel label parcel quarrel

Words ending in vowels

'-a'

cinema banana camera cocoa zebra saga umbrella vanilla

'-ea'

idea rhea nausea panacea area

'-i'

alibi fungi graffiti hi-fi macaroni safari spaghetti taxi

'-o'

cargo hero potato tomato zero echo photo volcano

'-oo'

bamboo cuckoo hullabaloo igloo shampoo tattoo

'-u'

caribou emu flu gnu impromptu menu tutu

'-ee'

chimpanzee degree jubilee pedigree toffee guarantee coffee committee

Homophones

long phoneme /ay/ (day)

rain reign great grate rein wait way weigh weight

long phoneme /air/ (hair)

there their bare pear pair bear stare stair

long phoneme /ee/ (see)

flea flee meat meet reed read peace piece

long phoneme /oh/ (no)

loan lone sew rowed road so

spellings of /ohl/ (bowl)

hole hold bold soul sole holed bowled whole

long phoneme /or/ (north)

sore board bored saw four for

phoneme /n/ (net)

knot knight knew not no night new know

phoneme /r/ (rat)

rap wrap wring write ring right

other homophones

lesson dear aloud whether weather allowed deer lessen

phoneme /s/ (sit)

licence license practise cereal practice serial

other consonant phonemes

one right new no knew hole know won wear where whole write

3-way homophones

to two their there they're too

Interesting derivations

from people's names

wellingtons diesel cardigans sandwiches

from mythical characters

atlas titanic cereal hygiene martial panic music volcano

from places

academy canter currant tangerine denim indigo swede port

from acronyms

laser quango quasar radar scuba sonar yuppie nylon

words with unusual histories

diary confetti salary tawdry tennis omnibus

shortened words

taxicab navvy fridge telly exam zoo

Words from other tongues

words from North America

moccasin moose totem tomahawk skunk

words from Arabic

mattress alcohol hazard sofa

words from Dutch

buoy snoop easel skipper brandy yacht

words from French

queue meringue mayonnaise bouquet souvenir duvet

words from Gaelic

slogan whisky whiskey clan bard

words from German

dachshund waltz poodle delicatessen nickel

words from Hindi

bungalow chutney shampoo cot

words from Italian

spaghetti umbrella serenade pizza replica motto piano studio

words from Japanese

tycoon karate 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 committee business accommodation address faithfully sincerely necessary

business words 2

liaise height immediately delivery approval certainly communication clerk weight

business words 3

suggestion authority efficiency limited marketing mortgage profited procedure recommendation purchase

are letters doubled? 1

omitted omission reference referred occurred occurrence

are letters doubled? 2

preference prefer preferred transfer transferable transferred

awkward words 1

water vehicle yacht women woman quarter people medicine leisure journey

awkward words 2

interesting lovely opposite separate especially embarrassed exaggerate desperate beautiful suppose

confusing homophones 1

canvas canvass cheque currant current check

confusing homophones 2

practice formally formerly licence principal principle practise stationary license stationery

words often confused 1

wander were where advice advise except accept loose lose quiet wonder quite

words often confused 2

disease effect affect decease emigrant eligible eminent imminent human immigrant illegible humane

Curriculum subject lists

English

textual sources 1

biography autobiography fiction drama poetry novel poem literature genre

textual sources 2

romance farce ballad comedy horror legend mystery satire sci-fi sonnet thriller tragedy myth

textual sources 3

account article bulletin essay magazine newspaper pamphlet brochure leaflet report advertisement

text analysis 1

character description favourite criticism style context vocabulary depth paraphrase portrayal quotation setting theme

text analysis 2

chapter clause introduction layout dialogue episode conclusion paragraph sentence scene subtitle phrase narrative title extract

text analysis 3

bias editing objective opinion persuasive relevant subjective summary argument communicate draft irrelevant idea

skills of writing

suspense rhyme rhythm hyperbole allegory alliteration metaphor personification simile ambiguity assonance imagery motif onomatopoeia irony

non-print media

commentary film headline lighting view visual video radio theatre screen listen cinema cassette watch

finding your way

illustration encyclopedia catalogue dictionary library research reference alphabetical thesaurus bibliography caption contents index glossary

people in the media

producer advertiser cameraman poet presenter scriptwriter author playwright correspondent editor narrator journalist actor director reporter

parts of speech

definite adjective adverb conjunction demonstrative indefinite noun participle preposition pronoun verb

punctuation

capital hyphen margin punctuation colon comma brackets apostrophe asterisk

words about language

grammar prefix word language jargon dialect suffix accent consonant tense vowel

Mathematics

numbers 1 to 10

eight five four nine one seven six three two ten

numbers 1st to 10th

tenth third fourth fifth first eighth seventh sixth second ninth

numbers 10 to 100 (+ 1000)

ninety hundred sixty seventy eighty fifty forty thirty ten twenty thousand

numbers 10th to 100th

twentieth thirtieth tenth fortieth fiftieth eightieth seventieth sixtieth hundredth ninetieth

geometric terms 1

length height diameter area angle centre circle straight width bisector transversal

handling data 1

quadratic survey intercept linear gradient chart frequency pictogram median tally maximum minimum average diagram graph percentage

arithmetic terms 1

fraction addition decrease multiplication factor increase coefficient consecutive indices total multiple remainder difference division equal

shapes 1

cuboid tetrahedron triangle quadrilateral pentagon hexagon heptagon octagon nonagon decagon rhombus rectangle circle

handling data 2

statistics median deviation sampling randomness cumulative interquartile correlation inference discrete probability diagrammatic frequency questionnaire

arithmetic terms 2

integer mathematics computation approximate numerator denominator recurring decimal zero positive negative

algebra terms

variable simplify ratio brackets formula proportional substitution polynomial formulae reduce substitute quadratic equation simultaneous function

geometric terms 2

elevation rotation reflection vertical curved transformation diagonal cyclic tessellation horizontal circumference

shapes 2

symmetry straight height parallel horizontal diagonal vertical cylinder breadth volume prism pyramid

angles

adjacent alternate acute obtuse reflex complementary supplementary interior exterior

arithmetic terms 3

quotient inverse index notation multiple ratio factor minus

properties of circles

semicircle circumference diameter radius perimeter segment sphere tangent ellipse sector chord

triangles

hypotenuse isosceles equilateral scalene congruent similar triangular

Science

experimental procedures 1

analyse investigate evidence comparison variables evaluation conclusion measure observe

experimental equipment

thermometer laboratory apparatus gauge funnel balance Liebig beaker Bunsen titration pipette burette conical photometer equipment

life - cells

gene hybrid inheritance organelle nucleus membrane cytoplasm chromosome meiosis mitosis gamete ciliated reproduction fertilisation conception evolution

life - plants 1

photosynthesis moisture chlorophyll pollination humus transpiration germination diffusion osmosis

life - animals

herbivore carnivore omnivore reptile mammal nocturnal migratory producer vertebrate habitat consumer parasite amphibian wait respiration circulation

life - health

syndrome immune deficiency virus organism infection toxin inflammation bacteria fever immunisation

materials - classification

compound mixture alloy aerosol aqueous amorphous polymer monomer reactant vitreous metal crystalline

materials - properties

magnetic semiconductor alkaline reactive inert insulator ionic covalent semipermeable soluble density volatile acid

materials - particles

element orbital valency radical proton neutron isotope ion electron nucleus molecule

physical change

solidify dissolve evaporate concentrate liquefy crystallisation diffusion filter condensation volatile precipitation distil

chemical change

activation electrolysis cathode anode hydrophilic hydrophobic neutralisation oxidation reduction reaction effervescence corrosion catalysis combustion explosion equation

forces and motion

compression pressure deceleration acceleration barometric gravity friction weight temperature

energy

momentum kinetic potential dissipation conduction convection radiation conservation renewable absorption energy

waves

frequency transparent ultraviolet microwave trough prism decibel longitudinal transverse velocity reflection refraction amplitude diffraction radiation

electricity/magnetism

polarity induction electromagnetic electrostatic dynamo particle static attraction rectifier repulsion transformer ammeter voltmeter

electrical circuits

integrated voltage filament insulation resistor transistor capacitor ampere ohm diode impedance capacitance resistance

experimental procedures 2

dilute condensation filter distil distillation filtration evaporate dissolve

life - plants 2

anther style ovary ovule pollen monocotyledon dicotyledon chloroplast stamen stigma capsule rhizome

History

politics and government 1

empire totalitarian democracy nationalism dictatorship restoration communism fascism monarchy republic

social 1

feudal disease civil plague marriage reform inequality abolition workhouse census

economic

nationalisation privatisation Depression poverty exploitation quota duty subsidy commerce laissez-faire engineering industrial factory agricultural piracy

religious

nonconformist worship symbol Dissolution belief monastery Protestant religion pilgrimage superstition persecution Catholic Reformation

diplomacy

rebellion empire unification independence colony exploration negotiation commonwealth relations ambassador treaty

general terms

prehistoric museum eyewitness chronology century evidence medieval archive neolithic archaeology

politics and government 2

political Suffragette Luddite treason abdicate referendum suffrage propaganda revolution heir

social 2

emigrant settlement serf society immigrant peasant slavery pauper nobility clergy

warfare

retreat victory strategy armour armistice holocaust conscription recruitment mercenary soldier conquest armies invasion battle

government

government reign parliament republic politics political independence colony colonisation dynasty constitutional imperial imperialism

Geography

physical features

mountain estuary gorge tributary delta watershed confluence source island glacier valley ocean continent

industry

business manufacturing leisure location location industry primary secondary tertiary accessibility employment

geological terms

sedimentary igneous metamorphic lava limestone granite tectonic magma volcano epicentre Richter fossil earthquake

ecological terms

environment pollution global famine conservation greenhouse deforestation renewable sustainable desertification stewardship overfishing

climate

monsoon equatorial atmosphere humidity temperature climate precipitation thermometer

weather

precipitation drought meteorology anticyclone isobar rainfall sunshine flood depression pressure gradient forecast gauge barometer

ecosystems

biomass ecosystem desert habitat tundra savannah steppe prairie deciduous coniferous fauna flora

population

demography urbanisation colony urban suburban rural distribution residential amenities population conurbation country

some european lands

Belgium Denmark France Germany Greece Portugal Ireland Italy Netherlands Finland Sweden Spain Luxembourg

farming

diversification pastoral cereal arable livestock rotation irrigation agriculture

processes

erosion transport deposition eruption weathering

natural hazards

tsunami avalanche cyclone heatwave typhoon tornado hurricane blizzard volcano flood earthquake

maps

longitude latitude meridians parallels reference equator contour

Design and Technology

designing

projection isometric estimate elevation criteria specification layout design dimension graphic perspective research

tools and equipment

screw scissors machine adhesive chisel hacksaw bradawl pliers hammer

materials and components

strength quality thermoset textile tensile suitability component flexible durability tolerance thermoplastic manufacture rigid

processes and techniques

compression modify assemble moulding attach separate

systems and control

switch electronic device circuit electrical mechanical feedback sensor pneumatic

structures

bridge efficiency reinforce structure suspension cantilever unstable buckle maintenance reliability tension

general terms

construction evaluation measure technology structure analysis design materials

food hygiene 1

hygiene bacteria listeria salmonella poisoning degrees centigrade conditions intestines spread sneeze uncovered

food hygiene 2

gloves touching temperatures bleaching disinfectant freezer detergent refrigerator boiling

food preparation

rubbing mixing whisking stirring chopping grating folding dicing slicing peeling defrosting

kitchen equipment

utensils opener grater whisk potato-peeler rolling-pin mixer measuring chopping-board sieve scissors knife scales

textile fibres 1

silk cotton natural wool flax hemp jute sisal hide leather fibre yarn

textile properties

stretchy waterproof hard-wearing lightweight crease-resistant delicate comfortable fleecy texture shrink absorbent

textile processors

batik dyeing spinning printing weaving knitting felting bonding tufting silk-screen tie-dyeing roller

textile fibres 2

viscose polyester mohair tweed worsted corduroy towelling cashmere man-made synthetic acrylic nylon

sewing

embroidery bobbin shuttle overlock crochet stitching thread tapestry

talk about clothing

fashion footwear accessories trend duvet uniform colour

fabric care

washing drying ironing dry-cleaning instructions

shopping

aftercare customer mail-order return multiple franchise

cooking

boiling grilling baking simmering frying reheating timing

nutrition

carbohydrate diet fibre unsaturated cholesterol balanced vitamins minerals digestion protein vegetarian vegan

ICT

equipment

silicon barcode pixel laser plotter scanner kilobyte microprocessor memory computer hardware monitor keyboard megabyte binary

handling information 1

analysis insert information loading processing delete database access spreadsheet quantitative qualitative data software

control and modelling

logging interface robot procedure measurement sensor simulation feedback variable

communication

digital communication teleworking internet import channel fax satellite phone network modem

using a computer

search cursor back-up font replace paste menu desktop template word-processor virus

handling information 2

scale clicking numeric function icon record cell image column field file

Art

styles

Classicism Cubism Pointillism Surrealism contemporary figurative medieval Impressionism Expressionism Baroque abstract realism Renaissance

forms of art: 2-dimensions

embroidery illustration stencil collage photograph picture caricature silhouette cartoon portrait batik tapestry fresco mural landscape mosaic

forms of art: 3-dimensions

construction mask origami carving casting relief jewellery sculpture ceramics architecture artefact

talking about art

composition foreground figure culture surface proportion texture tactile background contrasting decorative abstract

tools and materials

tempera earthenware terracotta charcoal acrylic palette bronze turpentine canvas pastel silk-screen crayon

techniques

perspective enlarge highlight superimpose illuminate stipple redefine shading crosshatch

Music

performing

acoustics amplifier recital rehearsal performance microphone practise practice concert

composing

rhythm improvisation instrumental accompaniment variation notation chord phrase melody ostinato ostinato orchestration treble clef stave

listening

minimalist Renaissance opera concerto sonata oratorio reggae fugue fusion Baroque musical classical Romantic symphony

musicians

soloist trio orchestra conductor composer choir duet quartet busker minstrel ensemble vocalist gamelan instrumentalist

talking about music

tonality homophonic polyphonic descant dissonance pentatonic chromatic instrumentation harmony discord lyrics modulation syncopation theme

instruments

piano strings guitar percussion brass woodwind xylophone bassoon oboe cello saxophone sitar clarinet glockenspiel timpani

voices

alto contralto soprano tenor bass

elements of music

dynamics texture tempo duration timbre pitch silence

Physical Education

games

badminton volleyball hockey rounders netball referee cricket coach court tennis fielding offside attacker defender umpire

gymnastic activities

somersault trampoline vault approach apparatus gymnastics rolling balancing

dance

choreography rhythm performance expression ballet ballroom co-ordination interpretation

athletic activities

competition baton decathlon pentathlon marathon attempt sprint disqualification jogging javelin relay athletics hurdles discus

outdoor activities

canoeing climbing abseiling orienteering adventurous obstacle navigation survival kayak

swimming

backstroke butterfly competitor diving gala breaststroke synchronised resuscitation medley propulsion

fitness/training

rotation abduction adduction aerobic isotonic isometric flexibility endurance technique extension stretching repetitions circuit

the body

circulatory vertebral hygiene injury adrenaline dehydration deficiency dislocate concussion nutrition muscle respiration

Religious Education

religions

Christianity Islam Buddhism Judaism Jainism Baha'i Rastafarianism Sikhism Shintoism Confucianism Taoism Hinduism

religious practice

yoga rite miracle service funeral meditation chanting kneeling prostration baptism worship wedding prayer ceremony

places of worship

church abbey monastery temple mosque gurdwara chapel synagogue mandir cathedral

people and religion

guru disciple yogi saint rabbi ascetic worshipper congregation archbishop mullah monk clergyman bishop priest vicar

religious groups

Protestant Catholic Evangelical Shia Sunni Mahayana Theravada Orthodox liberal Reform

Drama

creating 1

stimulus brainstorm target issue confrontation message audience improvisation rehearse theme topic conflict

creating 2

tension suspense context speech scenario storyboard monologue direction scene action dialogue

presenting

costume make-up management lighting design effect sound theatre

form

dance improvisation movement mime drama

style

drama comedy farce tragedy musical documentary surreal fantasy review

media

radio theatre video cinema television

PSHE

personal

discussion approval prefer preference pressure encourage reality approve control discipline encouragement gender involve involvement reward

relationship

representative dependent represent communication relationship

problem areas

addict addiction dependency racism racist sanction sexism sexist stereotype

qualities

generosity emotional generous achieve achievement emotion effort able ability

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