Hard Spelling Words
This list of hard spelling words features many words in which
there is confusion about doubling consonants when adding word endings.
So don't cry out of frustration over these difficult words! Instead,
learn more about
spelling these words correctly, with our free Step by Step spelling
lesson on
doubling final consonants when adding suffixes.
To Double, or Not to Double
Get your printable list of these hard spelling words, where doubling or not doubling consonants is the key to correct spelling. There are many more words that fall into this category. Why not contact me and send me your favorite tricky words? I'll add them to this list!
| admittance | beginning | committed | compelling |
| conference | controllable | deference | deferred |
| difference | different | edited | entering |
| equipped | excellent | forgettable | forgotten |
| formatting | happened | inference | labeled |
| numbered | occurrence | occurring | panicking |
| picnicking | piloted | planned | preference |
| profiting | propelled | reference | referring |
| regrettable | shoveling | stoppable | submitted |
| suffered | suffering | transferred | transmitter |
Silent Letters
Here are more spelling words that are sometimes difficult because of silent first letters:
| aisle | bdellium | czar | djembe |
| gnat | gnome | heir | herbivore |
| knight | knob | knock | knowledge |
| mnemonic | physical | physics | pneumatic |
| pneumonia | psalm | pseudonym | psoriasis |
| psychiatrist | psychosis | pterodactyl | tsunami |
| whose | wreath | wrestle | wrinkle |
NEW! 172 Hard Words to Spell Study what makes these words (and so many others) so difficult to spell! Improve your spelling skills as you master the challenge words on this list. Learn more about unfamiliar words, words with tricky vowel combinations, silent consonants, double consonants and more. Follow the links to additional word lists and study tools! Words on the list include abecedarian, absquatulate, boutonniere, cappuccino, connoisseur, diaphanous, impuissance, logorrhea, pastiche, psephology, querulous, rinceau, terpsichorean, and many, many more.
Additional Lists of Hard Spelling Words:
- Tricky Elementary Spelling Words
- 102 Frequently Misspelled words
- Difficult IE/EI Spelling words
- 8th grade spelling words
- 9th grade spelling words
- 10th grade spelling words
- 11th grade spelling words
- 12th grade spelling words
- Spelling Demons Sometimes the words that trip us up are those that are easily-confused with other words, like desert/dessert and allusion/illusion. Master this list to improve your spelling skills.
For some really tough spelling words, we have a list of 100 Difficult Spelling Words for Spelling Bee Officials. We've included the pronunciation, definition, part of speech, etymology and a sentence for each word. If you're having a serious competition, this list is for you!
Spelling Lessons
Step-by-Step Lesson - This lesson methodically teaches when to double, and when not to double, the final consonant when adding suffixes.
Step-By-Step Spelling Lesson Plans - Here's a very methodical way to teach, or learn, those tricky IE/EI words. Great for ESL students, upper elementary students, or adults. You can use every step of this lesson, or just the ones that you need. This free printable lesson includes a link to big list of IE/EI words for extra study and practice.
Did you know one of the best
motivations for
students to boost their spelling skills? It's called a SPELLING BEE! We
have a huge set of
resources
to make your next classroom competition a success!
Other Resources:
As
student learn difficult words, make sure they know how to use them
correctly. We have lots of fun spelling practice ideas, as
well as spelling word
games and spelling
worksheets.
Be sure to try new ideas and share the ones that
work best with other students, parents and teachers.
Ann Richmond Fisher is a longtime published educational writer, a former classroom teacher and a former homeschool teacher. Ann's spelling bee resources, graded spelling word lists, spelling games, worksheets, and other language arts resources have become respected around the globe since she launched Spelling-Words-Well in 2010.
Ann is also the creator of www.word-game-world.com.
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Spelling Bee Lists for 7th and 8th Grade Students
Our spelling bee lists are ready to use, for grades 2 and up. This page features challenging words for upper grades. Use for study or for classroom competitions.
AnyWord Spelling Practice Series Fun Worksheets, games & prompts that work with almost ANY spelling words!
300 Spelling Bee Words by Grade Level, with definitions, sentences and languages
Spelling Bee Toolboxes for Grades 3/5 and 6/8 All the resources you need for a successful bee!
Mammoth Spelling Bee Word Lists with sentences, definitions, and languages
Monumental Spelling Bee Word Lists with definitions, sentences and languages
Young Spellers Spelling Bee Word List for Grades 1 & 2
100 Difficult Spelling Bee Words, Definitions & Sentences My toughest lists, for upper grades and adults!
600 Spelling Bee Words & Sentences for Gr 3/5 & 6/8 Extra words & sentences at two levels
101 Word Play Puzzlers Discover the FUN of letters & words as you solve each unique puzzle. Great vocabulary & spelling practice!
