5th Grade Spelling Bee Words

358 words for a 5th grade bee, in three rounds. Most carry a definition and a sentence, and every one has a play button so the pronouncer can say it aloud in Joy's voice. Print it, or run it from the screen. Free, nothing to sign up for.

Warm-up round

Words children practising here almost always get first time. Open with these so every speller gets a turn before anyone goes out.

  1. billnoun2% needed a second try

    The jaws of a bird together with their horny covering

    a duck's bill

  2. codenoun1.8% needed a second try

    A systematic statement of a body of law

    writing code for a new app

  3. liternoun2.4% needed a second try

    A metric unit of capacity equal to one cubic decimeter

  4. networknoun1.8% needed a second try

    A fabric or structure of cords or wires that cross at regular intervals and are knotted or secured at the crossings

    … ribbons, lace and embroidery wrought together in a most curious piece of network …

  5. pintnoun0.8% needed a second try

    A unit of capacity equal to 1/2 quart

  6. rootnoun2.1% needed a second try

    The usually underground part of a seed plant body that originates usually from the hypocotyl, functions as an organ of absorption, aeration, and food storage or as a means of anchorage and support, and differs from a stem especially in lacking nodes, buds, and leaves

  7. wallnoun2.2% needed a second try

    A high thick masonry structure forming a long rampart or an enclosure chiefly for defense —often used in plural

  8. westadverb1.8% needed a second try

    To, toward, or in the west

  9. brisklyadjective2.7% needed a second try

    Keenly alert : lively

    a brisk old lady with no nonsense about her

  10. canyonnoun6.9% needed a second try

    A deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with a stream flowing through it

    the city's concrete canyons

  11. conflictnoun6.7% needed a second try

    Fight, battle, war

    an armed conflict

  12. contextnoun4.1% needed a second try

    The parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning

    the historical context of the war

  13. cupnoun4.7% needed a second try

    An open usually bowl-shaped drinking vessel

    a fruit cup

  14. datanoun3.4% needed a second try

    Factual information (such as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation

    the data is plentiful and easily available

  15. driveverb5.2% needed a second try

    To frighten or prod (game, cattle, etc.) into moving in a desired direction

    drive cattle across the prairie

  16. dropnoun5.4% needed a second try

    A minute quantity or degree of something nonmaterial or intangible

    not a drop of meanness in her

  17. eggsverb2.9% needed a second try

    To incite to action

  18. expansionnoun6% needed a second try

    Expanse

  19. expressverb3.5% needed a second try

    To represent in words : state

  20. extendverb7.4% needed a second try

    To spread or stretch forth : unbend

    extended both her arms

  21. footnoun4.6% needed a second try

    The terminal part of the vertebrate leg upon which an individual stands

    Each line of the poem contains five feet.

  22. gallonnoun3.1% needed a second try

    A unit of liquid capacity equal to 231 cubic inches or four quarts

  23. gistnoun4.2% needed a second try

    The ground of a legal action

    the gist of an argument

  24. goneadjective5.1% needed a second try

    Lost, ruined

    lost looks and gone faculties

  25. grassnoun5.3% needed a second try

    Herbage suitable or used for grazing animals

    keep off the grass

  26. happyadjective4.5% needed a second try

    Favored by luck or fortune : fortunate

    a happy coincidence

  27. held4.8% needed a second try

    past tense and past participle of hold

  28. historicadjective5.9% needed a second try

    Famous or important in history

    historic battlefields

  29. inchnoun2.7% needed a second try

    A unit of length equal to 1/3₆ yard

  30. jobnoun5.2% needed a second try

    A regular remunerative position

    got a part-time job as a waiter

  31. justicenoun5.9% needed a second try

    The maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments

    meting out justice

  32. kept6.1% needed a second try

    Past tense and past participle of keep

  33. kilometernoun6.6% needed a second try

    A metric unit of length equal to 1000 meters

  34. lawnoun3.4% needed a second try

    A binding custom or practice of a community : a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority

  35. layverb4.3% needed a second try

    To beat or strike down with force

    lay your books on the table

  36. lovenoun3.8% needed a second try

    Strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties

  37. Marsnoun2.5% needed a second try

    The Roman god of war

  38. massnoun5% needed a second try

    The liturgy of the Eucharist especially in accordance with the traditional Latin rite

    Sunday masses held at three different hours

  39. meetverb5.1% needed a second try

    To come into the presence of for the first time : to be introduced to or become acquainted with

    I'm pleased to meet you.

  40. membersnoun7.3% needed a second try

    A body part or organ: such as

  41. meternoun5.6% needed a second try

    Systematically arranged and measured rhythm in verse:

  42. milenoun7.1% needed a second try

    Any of various units of distance: such as

  43. mindnoun4.9% needed a second try

    Recollection, memory

    keep that in mind

  44. moonnoun4.1% needed a second try

    The earth's natural satellite that shines by the sun's reflected light, revolves about the earth from west to east in about 29¹/₂ days with reference to the sun or about 27¹/₃ days with reference to the stars, and has a diameter of 2160 miles (3475 kilometers), a mean distance from the earth of about 238,900 miles (384,400 kilometers), and a mass about one eightieth that of the earth

    a labor of many moons

  45. navigateverb5.2% needed a second try

    To travel by water : sail

    navigated down to the mouth of the river

  46. ouncenoun3.8% needed a second try

    A unit of weight equal to 1/12 troy pound

  47. pastadjective5.9% needed a second try

    Ago

    12 years past

  48. percentnoun6.7% needed a second try

    One part in a hundred

  49. poundnoun3.3% needed a second try

    Any of various units of mass and weight; specifically : a unit now in general use among English-speaking peoples equal to 16 avoirdupois ounces or 7000 grains or 0.4536 kilogram

  50. primaryadjective5.9% needed a second try

    First in order of time or development : primitive

    the primary stage of civilization

  51. quartnoun4.5% needed a second try

    A unit of capacity equal to 1/4 gallon or 1/3₂ bushel

  52. racenoun5% needed a second try

    Any one of the groups that humans are often divided into based on physical traits regarded as common among people of shared ancestry; also : the fact of dividing people, or of people being divided, into such groups : categorization by race

  53. rationoun6.8% needed a second try

    The indicated quotient of two mathematical expressions

  54. recentlyadverb5.7% needed a second try

    During a recent period of time : lately

  55. recordverb6.1% needed a second try

    To set down in writing : furnish written evidence of

  56. rotationnoun3.3% needed a second try

    The action or process of rotating on or as if on an axis or center

  57. sat4.4% needed a second try

    Past tense and past participle of sit

  58. shallverb7.1% needed a second try

    —used to express what is inevitable or seems likely to happen in the future

  59. sitenoun7.3% needed a second try

    The spatial location of an actual or planned structure or set of structures (such as a building, town, or monuments)

    a picnic site

  60. skynoun3.4% needed a second try

    The upper atmosphere or expanse of space that constitutes an apparent great vault or arch over the earth

    temperate English skies

  61. softadjective4.2% needed a second try

    Pleasing or agreeable to the senses : bringing ease, comfort, or quiet

    the soft influences of home

  62. sumnoun3.1% needed a second try

    An indefinite or specified amount of money

    reached the sum of human happiness

  63. summernoun6.3% needed a second try

    The season between spring and autumn comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of June, July, and August or as reckoned astronomically extending from the June solstice to the September equinox

  64. testnoun4.1% needed a second try

    A positive result in such a test

  65. tonenoun5.9% needed a second try

    Vocal or musical sound of a specific quality; especially : musical sound with respect to timbre and manner of expression

    spoke in low tones

  66. trembleverb5% needed a second try

    To shake involuntarily (as with fear or cold) : shiver

  67. Uranusnoun7.1% needed a second try

    The sky personified as a god and father of the Titans in Greek mythology

  68. Venusnoun6.6% needed a second try

    The Roman goddess of love and beauty

  69. wildadjective4.6% needed a second try

    Living in a state of nature and not ordinarily tame or domesticated

  70. yardnoun7.3% needed a second try

    A small usually walled and often paved area open to the sky and adjacent to a building : court

  71. abolishverb9.9% needed a second try

    To end the observance or effect of (something, such as a law) : to completely do away with (something) : annul

    abolish a law

  72. accurateadjective11.9% needed a second try

    Free from error especially as the result of care

    an accurate diagnosis

  73. announceverb9.7% needed a second try

    To make known publicly : proclaim

    announce a deal

  74. anxiousadjective11.4% needed a second try

    Characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear about some contingency :

    anxious parents

  75. anythingpronoun10.9% needed a second try

    Any thing whatever : any such thing

  76. approvalnoun8.7% needed a second try

    An act or instance of approving something : approbation

    The change is subject to the committee's approval.

  77. argumentnoun10.5% needed a second try

    The act or process of arguing, reasoning, or discussing : argumentation

    a defense attorney's closing argument

  78. armsnoun9% needed a second try

    A human upper limb; especially : the part between the shoulder and the wrist

  79. avoidverb9.9% needed a second try

    To keep away from : shun

    They have been avoiding me.

  80. besidepreposition9.6% needed a second try

    By the side of

    walk beside me

  81. blueadjective10.1% needed a second try

    Of the color whose hue is that of the clear sky : of the color blue

    a blue jacket

  82. brothernoun9.3% needed a second try

    A male who has the same parents as another or one parent in common with another

    a lay brother

  83. causenoun12.1% needed a second try

    A reason for an action or condition : motive

    trying to find the cause of the accident

  84. cellsnoun10.2% needed a second try

    A transparent sheet of celluloid on which objects are drawn or painted in the making of animated cartoons

  85. centernoun12.4% needed a second try

    The point around which a circle or sphere is described

    a railroad center

  86. colonynoun12.3% needed a second try

    An area over which a foreign nation or state extends or maintains control

    a former colony

  87. conclusionnoun9% needed a second try

    A reasoned judgment : inference

    The obvious conclusion is that she was negligent.

  88. Congressnoun7.5% needed a second try

    The act or action of coming together and meeting

    the Congress of Vienna

  89. consistentadjective12.2% needed a second try

    Marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity : free from variation or contradiction

    a consistent style in painting

  90. constitutionnoun12.4% needed a second try

    The basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it

    a hearty constitution

  91. controlverb8.8% needed a second try

    To exercise restraining or directing influence over : regulate

    control one's anger

  92. convinceverb9.6% needed a second try

    To bring (as by argument) to belief, consent, or a course of action : persuade

    convinced himself that she was all right

  93. danceverb7.9% needed a second try

    To move one's body rhythmically usually to music : to engage in or perform a dance

    dancing to our favorite song

  94. decadenoun8.2% needed a second try

    A period of 10 years

    has been teaching for over a decade

  95. denominatornoun12.2% needed a second try

    The part of a fraction that is below the line and that functions as the divisor of the numerator

    a common denominator

  96. desertnoun8.7% needed a second try

    Arid land with usually sparse vegetation

    lost in a desert of doubt

  97. distancenoun12% needed a second try

    The quality or state of being distant: such as

  98. dividedadjective11% needed a second try

    Separated into parts or pieces

    a divided highway

  99. dominateverb10.8% needed a second try

    Rule, control

    an empire that dominated the world

  100. drowsyadjective11.5% needed a second try

    Ready to fall asleep

    The pills made her drowsy.

  101. effortlessadjective9% needed a second try

    Showing or requiring little or no effort

    effortless power

  102. energynoun12% needed a second try

    Dynamic quality

    narrative energy

  103. escalateverb8.5% needed a second try

    To increase in extent, volume, number, amount, intensity, or scope

    a little war threatens to escalate into a huge ugly one

  104. evaluateverb12.4% needed a second try

    To determine or fix the value of

  105. farmersnoun11% needed a second try

    A person who pays a fixed sum for some privilege or source of income

  106. feltnoun9.3% needed a second try

    A cloth made of wool and fur often mixed with natural or synthetic fibers through the action of heat, moisture, chemicals, and pressure

  107. flowersnoun10.3% needed a second try

    The specialized part of an angiospermous plant that occurs singly or in clusters, possesses whorls of often colorful petals or sepals, and bears the reproductive structures (such as stamens or pistils) involved in the development of seeds and fruit : blossom

    a hydrangea flower

  108. forestnoun8.3% needed a second try

    A dense growth of trees and underbrush covering a large tract

    A fire destroyed acres of forest.

  109. fractionnoun9.3% needed a second try

    A numerical representation (such as ³/₄, ⁵/₈, or 3.234) indicating the quotient of two numbers

    a fraction closer

  110. frequentverb11.6% needed a second try

    To associate with, be in, or resort to often or habitually

    a bar frequented by sports fans

  111. giganticadjective8.9% needed a second try

    Exceeding the usual or expected (as in size, force, or prominence)

  112. glareverb7.6% needed a second try

    To shine with a harsh uncomfortably brilliant light

    glared at me with rage and hate

  113. gravitynoun8% needed a second try

    Dignity or sobriety of bearing

    a person of gravity and learning

  114. harshadjective8.1% needed a second try

    Having a coarse uneven surface that is rough or unpleasant to the touch

    granite stones harsh with lichen

  115. heroicadjective8.5% needed a second try

    Of or relating to courageous people or the mythological or legendary figures of antiquity : of, relating to, resembling, or suggesting heroes especially of antiquity

    heroic legends

  116. horizontaladjective11.7% needed a second try

    Of or relating to the apparent junction of earth and sky : situated near the horizon

    horizontal distance

  117. hostileadjective12% needed a second try

    Of or relating to an enemy

    hostile fire

  118. huddleverb8% needed a second try

    To arrange carelessly or hurriedly

    the solemnities had to be huddled through at express speed

  119. identifyverb7.6% needed a second try

    To perceive or state the identity of (someone or something)

    {ldquo}It's the young man!{rdquo} I thought, feeling my heart shoot as I identified him.

  120. illegibleadjective10.7% needed a second try

    Not legible : indecipherable

    illegible writing

  121. islandnoun8.4% needed a second try

    A tract of land surrounded by water and smaller than a continent

  122. lakenoun8% needed a second try

    A considerable inland body of standing water

  123. legsnoun9.7% needed a second try

    A limb of an animal used especially for supporting the body and for walking: such as

  124. Madisonbiographical name7.9% needed a second try

    Dolley 1768—1849 née (Dorothea) Payne; wife of James Madison American socialite

  125. mainnoun11.5% needed a second try

    Physical strength : force

    they are in the main well-trained

  126. matternoun9.3% needed a second try

    A subject under consideration

    Several other matters will come before the committee.

  127. meanverb11.1% needed a second try

    To have in the mind as a purpose : intend

    she means to win

  128. millimeternoun12.2% needed a second try

    A unit of length equal to 1/10₀₀ meter

  129. monthsnoun8.4% needed a second try

    A measure of time corresponding nearly to the period of the moon's revolution and amounting to approximately 4 weeks or 30 days or ¹/₁₂ of a year

    he has been gone for months

  130. Neptunenoun7.6% needed a second try

    The Roman god of the sea

  131. ordinaryadjective11.3% needed a second try

    Of a kind to be expected in the normal order of events : routine, usual

    an ordinary day

  132. originnoun9% needed a second try

    Ancestry, parentage

    was of humble origin

  133. paintverb10% needed a second try

    To apply color, pigment, or paint to

  134. paragraphnoun10.8% needed a second try

    A subdivision of a written composition that consists of one or more sentences, deals with one point or gives the words of one speaker, and begins on a new usually indented line

    The introductory paragraphs were written by the editor.

  135. passagenoun9.5% needed a second try

    A way of exit or entrance : a road, path, channel, or course by which something passes

    Special ships clear passages through the ice.

  136. pickedadjective10.3% needed a second try

    Pointed, peaked

  137. plainadjective11.2% needed a second try

    Lacking ornament : undecorated

    plain home-cooked meals

  138. polygonnoun9.2% needed a second try

    A closed plane figure bounded by straight lines

  139. rainnoun10.2% needed a second try

    Water falling in drops condensed from vapor in the atmosphere

    a rain of arrows

  140. raisedadjective8.3% needed a second try

    Having a pattern or design projecting from a background : done in relief

    raised metalwork

  141. readyadjective12.1% needed a second try

    Prepared mentally or physically for some experience or action

  142. reasonnoun8.3% needed a second try

    A statement offered in explanation or justification

    gave reasons that were quite satisfactory

  143. returnverb11% needed a second try

    To go back or come back again

    return home

  144. rivernoun9.6% needed a second try

    A natural stream of water of usually considerable volume

    a river of lava

  145. stanzanoun8.1% needed a second try

    A division of a poem consisting of a series of lines arranged together in a usually recurring pattern of meter and rhyme : strophe

  146. subjectnoun7.5% needed a second try

    One that is placed under authority or control: such as

  147. tensionnoun8.6% needed a second try

    Inner striving, unrest, or imbalance often with physiological indication of emotion

  148. unexpectedadjective8.3% needed a second try

    Not expected : unforeseen

  149. valleynoun11.3% needed a second try

    An elongate depression of the earth's surface usually between ranges of hills or mountains

  150. versenoun11% needed a second try

    A line of metrical writing

    a fourteen-syllable verse

  151. verticaladjective10.5% needed a second try

    Perpendicular to the plane of the horizon or to a primary axis : upright

  152. volumenoun8.5% needed a second try

    The degree of loudness or the intensity of a sound; also : loudness

  153. wideadjective10.7% needed a second try

    Having great extent : vast

    a wide area

  154. windownoun8.1% needed a second try

    An opening especially in the wall of a building for admission of light and air that is usually closed by casements or sashes containing transparent material (such as glass) and capable of being opened and shut

    a bank teller's window

  155. winternoun7.8% needed a second try

    The season between autumn and spring comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of December, January, and February or as reckoned astronomically extending from the December solstice to the March equinox

  156. wishverb11.4% needed a second try

    To have a desire for (something, such as something unattainable)

    wished he could live his life over

Main round

The body of the bee. Recorded practice puts these in the middle, alongside the words too rarely practised here for us to say anything about.

  1. accomplishverb16.2% needed a second try

    To bring about (a result) by effort

    have much to accomplish today

  2. alliterationnoun16% needed a second try

    The repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables (such as wild and woolly, threatening throngs)

  3. approachverb13.1% needed a second try

    To draw closer to : near

    approach a destination

  4. ceaseverb12.8% needed a second try

    To cause to come to an end especially gradually : no longer continue

    they were forced to cease operations

  5. centimeternoun16.9% needed a second try

    A unit of length equal to ¹/₁₀₀ meter

  6. citizennoun13.8% needed a second try

    A native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it

    She was an American citizen but lived most of her life abroad.

  7. claimverb12.6% needed a second try

    To ask for especially as a right

    claimed the inheritance

  8. clothesplural noun15.5% needed a second try

    Clothing

    I need new clothes for the winter.

  9. computernoun13.7% needed a second try

    One that computes

  10. concludeverb15.3% needed a second try

    To bring to an end especially in a particular way or with a particular action

    conclude a meeting

  11. coordinateadjective12.5% needed a second try

    Equal in rank, quality, or significance

    keeping the branches of government coordinate

  12. culturenoun13.2% needed a second try

    The customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group

    a corporate culture focused on the bottom line

  13. democracynoun17.3% needed a second try

    A form of government in which the people elect representatives to make decisions, policies, laws, etc. according to law

    Free and fair elections are a hallmark of American democracy.

  14. describeverb14.9% needed a second try

    To represent or give an account of in words

    describe a picture

  15. discoveredverb13.1% needed a second try

    To make known or visible : expose

    discovering himself … as her adoring and magnanimous lover

  16. Earthnoun15.4% needed a second try

    The fragmental material composing part of the surface of the globe

  17. ecosystemnoun15.5% needed a second try

    The complex of a community of organisms and its environment functioning as an ecological unit

    That influx of fresh water alters the ocean's salinity near the seafloor, a factor that influences the makeup of the ecosystems in those places.

  18. edgenoun16.4% needed a second try

    The cutting side of a blade

    a razor's edge

  19. edibleadjective14.2% needed a second try

    Fit to be eaten : eatable

  20. establishverb13.4% needed a second try

    To institute (something, such as a law) permanently by enactment or agreement

    establish grass on pasturelands

  21. Europegeographical name17.1% needed a second try

    Continent of the eastern and northern hemispheres that has the Atlantic Ocean to its west, the Arctic Ocean to its north, Asia to its east, and Africa and the Mediterranean and Black seas to its south area 3,997,929 square miles (10,354,636 square kilometers)

  22. evidencenoun14% needed a second try

    An outward sign : indication

  23. explainverb15.3% needed a second try

    To make known

    explain the secret of your success

  24. familiarnoun12.9% needed a second try

    A member of the household of a high official

    the loathsome toad, the witches' familiar

  25. finishedadjective12.7% needed a second try

    Entirely done : brought to a completed state

    Are you finished yet?

  26. heartnoun17.4% needed a second try

    A hollow muscular organ of vertebrate animals that by its rhythmic contraction acts as a force pump maintaining the circulation of the blood

    could feel her heart pounding

  27. hesitateverb12.9% needed a second try

    To hold back in doubt or indecision

    She didn't hesitate when they offered her the job.

  28. hilariousadjective14% needed a second try

    Marked by or causing hilarity : extremely funny

  29. Jupiternoun14.5% needed a second try

    The chief Roman god, husband of Juno, and god of light, of the sky and weather, and of the state and its welfare and its laws

  30. librarynoun16.7% needed a second try

    A place in which literary, musical, artistic, or reference materials (such as books, manuscripts, recordings, or films) are kept for use but not for sale

  31. Mercurynoun13.1% needed a second try

    A Roman god of commerce, eloquence, travel, cunning, and theft who serves as messenger to the other gods

  32. metaphornoun15.1% needed a second try

    A figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in drowning in money); broadly : figurative language

  33. militianoun13% needed a second try

    A part of the organized armed forces of a country liable to call only in emergency

    The militia was called to quell the riot.

  34. millionnoun12.6% needed a second try

    A number equal to 1,000 times 1,000

  35. numeratornoun16.5% needed a second try

    The part of a fraction that is above the line and signifies the number to be divided by the denominator

  36. patriotnoun15% needed a second try

    One who loves and supports his or her country

    … praised him as a … motivated patriot who was fearless in the quest to preserve American security.

  37. perhapsadverb13.6% needed a second try

    Possibly but not certainly : maybe

  38. planetnoun13.1% needed a second try

    Any of the large bodies that revolve around the sun in the solar system

  39. presentnoun14.8% needed a second try

    Something presented} : {sx

  40. probablyadverb16.4% needed a second try

    Insofar as seems reasonably true, factual, or to be expected : without much doubt

    is probably happy

  41. referencenoun14.2% needed a second try

    The act of referring or consulting

    in reference to your recent letter

  42. reviewnoun16.2% needed a second try

    A formal military inspection

  43. revolutionnoun17.4% needed a second try

    Completion of a course (as of years)

    the Copernican revolution

  44. Saturnnoun14.7% needed a second try

    A Roman god of agriculture and father by Ops of Jupiter

  45. scarceadjective13.4% needed a second try

    Deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand : not plentiful or abundant

  46. similenoun15% needed a second try

    A figure of speech comparing two unlike things that is often introduced by like or as (as in cheeks like roses)

  47. sourcenoun14.8% needed a second try

    A generative force : cause

  48. storeverb15.3% needed a second try

    Lay away, accumulate

    store vegetables for winter use

  49. suddenlyadjective16.3% needed a second try

    Happening or coming unexpectedly

    a sudden shower

  50. teachernoun14.2% needed a second try

    A person whose job is to educate and instruct students in a school or other learning environment

  51. thirdadjective16.3% needed a second try

    Being next after the second in place or time

    the third taxi in line

  52. trainnoun15.5% needed a second try

    A connected line of railroad cars with or without a locomotive

    traveled the country by train

  53. variableadjective13.6% needed a second try

    Able or apt to vary : subject to variation or changes

    variable winds

  54. weathernoun17.3% needed a second try

    The state of the atmosphere with respect to heat or cold, wetness or dryness, calm or storm, clearness or cloudiness

  55. writtenadjective13.9% needed a second try

    Made or done in writing

    a written contract/agreement

  56. Boisegeographical name

    River 60 miles (96 kilometers) long in southwest central Idaho flowing west into the Snake River

  57. can'tcontraction

    Can not

  58. prismnoun

    A polyhedron with two polygonal faces lying in parallel planes and with the other faces parallelograms

  59. Pierregeographical name

    City and capital of South Dakota on the Missouri River in the central part of the state population 13,646

  60. rightsnoun

    Qualities (such as adherence to duty or obedience to lawful authority) that together constitute the ideal of moral propriety or merit moral approval

  61. aud (hear)root

    A root word meaning 'to hear'

    Audio means relating to hearing.

  62. dict (say)root

    A root word meaning 'to say' or 'speak'

    Dictionary contains words and what they mean when we say them.

  63. ject (throw)root

    A root word meaning 'to throw' or 'cast'

    To reject means to throw back or refuse.

  64. port (carry)prefix

    A prefix meaning 'to carry'

    Transport means to carry across.

  65. rupt (break)root

    A root word meaning 'to break' or 'burst'

    An eruption happens when a volcano rupts or breaks open.

  66. tract (pull)root

    A root word meaning 'to pull' or 'drag'

    Attract means to pull toward you.

  67. fract (break)root

    A root word meaning 'to break' or 'broken'

    A fraction is a number that shows broken parts of a whole.

  68. axisnoun

    A straight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates or may be supposed to rotate

    the Earth's axis

  69. cred (believe)root

    A root word meaning 'to believe' or 'trust'

    Credible means believable.

  70. struct (build)root

    A root word meaning 'to build' or 'construct'

    Construction workers use tools to struct buildings.

  71. Dovergeographical name

    City in central Delaware population 36,047

  72. orbitnoun

    The bony socket of the eye

    The orbit encloses and protects the eye and its appendages.

  73. Salemgeographical name

    City and port on the Atlantic in northeastern Massachusetts northeast of Lynn population 41,340

  74. Austinbiographical name

    Alfred 1835–1913 English poet; laureate (1896–1913)

  75. Bostonnoun

    A variation of whist played with two decks of cards

  76. Denvergeographical name

    City in northeast central Colorado in the western Great Plains east of the Front Range population 600,158

  77. revoltverb

    To renounce allegiance or subjection (as to a government) : rebel

  78. A state of agreement : harmony

  79. Jacksonbiographical name

    Andrew 1767—1845 American general; 7th president of the U.S. (1829—37)

  80. Lansingbiographical name

    Robert 1864—1928 American lawyer and statesman

  81. Any of an English breed of long-wooled mutton-type sheep

  82. opposedadjective

    Set or placed in opposition : contrary

    with politicians, as opposed to soap, you cannot return what you have bought

  83. The capital city of Arizona

    Phoenix is one of the hottest cities in the United States.

  84. A public notice

  85. Raleighbiographical name

    Sir Walter 1554—1618 English courtier, navigator, and historian

  86. A British soldier especially in America during the Revolutionary War

  87. To proceed or arise as a consequence, effect, or conclusion

    death resulted from the disease

  88. Trentongeographical name

    City in New Jersey on the Delaware River population 84,913

  89. A group of World Wide Web pages usually containing hyperlinks to each other and made available online by an individual, company, educational institution, government, or organization

    … call our toll-free number or visit our website.

  90. Bismarckbiographical name

    Prince Otto Eduard Leopold von 1815–1898 in full

  91. A member of a nation of Algonquian-speaking Indigenous peoples of the western Great Plains of the U.S.

  92. food webnoun

    The totality of interacting food chains in an ecological community

  93. Ware (such as fittings, cutlery, tools, utensils, or parts of machines) made of metal

  94. Hartfordgeographical name

    City in north central Connecticut on the Connecticut River population 124,775

  95. A bank of keys on a musical instrument (such as a piano) that usually consists of seven white and five raised black keys to the octave

  96. Richmondgeographical name

    City in western California on San Francisco Bay north-northwest of Oakland population 103,701

  97. Santa Fegeographical name

    City and state capital in north central New Mexico population 67,947

  98. Programs for a computer

    accounting software

  99. Frankfortgeographical name

    City and capital of Kentucky on the Kentucky River east of Louisville population 25,527

  100. Des Moinesgeographical name

    River 327 miles (526 kilometers) long in Iowa flowing southeast into the Mississippi River

  101. Saint Paulgeographical name

    City and capital of Minnesota on the Mississippi River just east of Minneapolis population 285,068

  102. scrib/script (write)root

    Root words meaning 'to write'

    A scribe writes things down, and a script is something written.

  103. Springfieldgeographical name

    City on the Sangamon River in central Illinois population 116,250

  104. Albanygeographical name

    City in southwestern Georgia population 77,434

  105. Helenageographical name

    City in west central Montana population 28,190

  106. Juneaugeographical name

    City and port on Gastineau Channel in the southeastern coastal strip of Alaska population 31,275

  107. Topekageographical name

    City on the Kansas River in northeastern Kansas population 127,473

  108. Atlantageographical name

    City in northwest central Georgia, the state capital population 420,003

  109. Augustageographical name

    City on the Savannah River in eastern Georgia population 195,844

  110. Olympiageographical name

    City and capital of Washington on Puget Sound population 46,478

  111. The United States

  112. Columbusbiographical name

    Christopher or Italian Cristoforo

  113. A usually large collection of data organized especially for rapid search and retrieval (as by a computer)

    an online database

  114. An act or process of electing

    the election of a new governor

  115. An electronic communications network that connects computer networks and organizational computer facilities around the world —used with the except when being used attributively

  116. One who is or remains loyal especially to a political cause, party, government, or sovereign

  117. An organism that primarily obtains food by the killing and consuming of other organisms : an organism that lives by predation; especially : an animal that preys on other animals

  118. One that produces; especially : one that grows agricultural products or manufactures crude materials into articles of use

  119. A government in which the power belongs to a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by the leaders and representatives elected by those citizens to govern according to law

  120. The action of taxing; especially : the imposition of taxes

  121. To allow to be or to be done without prohibition, hindrance, or contradiction

    learn to tolerate one another

  122. compositeadjective

    Relating to or being a modification of the Corinthian order combining angular Ionic volutes with the acanthus-circled bell of the Corinthian

    8 is a positive composite integer.

  123. Nashvillegeographical name

    City on the Cumberland River in north central Tennessee population 601,222

  124. A lively ballroom dance in which the knees are twisted in and out and the heels are swung sharply outward on each step

  125. Harrisburggeographical name

    City and capital of Pennsylvania on the Susquehanna River population 49,528

  126. Montpeliergeographical name

    City in north central Vermont population 7855

  127. Divine guidance or care

  128. Baton Rougegeographical name

    City and capital of Louisiana on the Mississippi River population 229,493

  129. hit the hayverb

    To reach with or as if with a sudden blow

    His mom told him to stop hitting his sister.

  130. Little Rockgeographical name

    City on the Arkansas River in central Arkansas population 193,524

  131. break the iceverb

    To separate into parts with suddenness or violence

    broke a plate

  132. when pigs flyidiom

    —used to say that one thinks that something will never happen

  133. Honolulugeographical name

    Most populous city, port, and capital of Hawaii population 390,738

  134. Annapolisgeographical name

    City, port on the Severn River, and capital of Maryland population 38,394

  135. A portion of land nearly surrounded by water and connected with a larger body by an isthmus; also : a piece of land jutting out into the water whether with or without a well-defined isthmus

  136. The capital city of California

    Sacramento is located in northern California.

  137. unfamiliaradjective

    Not familiar:

  138. Carson Citygeographical name

    City east of Lake Tahoe, Nevada; the state capital population 55,274

  139. An act or instance of observing a custom, rule, or law

    observation of the dress code

  140. Tallahasseegeographical name

    City in northern Florida population 181,376

  141. prime numbernoun

    Any integer other than 0 or ± 1 that is not divisible without remainder by any other integers except ± 1 and ± the integer itself

  142. solar systemnoun

    The sun together with the group of celestial bodies that are held by its attraction and revolve around it

  143. piece of cakenoun phrase

    Something easily done : cinch, breeze

  144. Indianapolisgeographical name

    City in central Indiana population 820,445

  145. Jefferson Citygeographical name

    City and capital of Missouri on the Missouri River population 43,079

  146. Salt Lake Citygeographical name

    City and capital of Utah on the Jordan River in the northern part of the state population 186,440

  147. Oklahoma Citygeographical name

    City on the North Canadian River and capital of Oklahoma population 579,999

  148. once in a blue moonidiom

    Very rarely

    It happens once in a blue moon.

  149. cost an arm and a legidiom

    To be too expensive

    I want a new car that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

  150. better late than nevernoun

    A word meaning better late than never

  151. let the cat out of the bagverb

    To cause to : make

    let me know

  152. the early bird gets the wormnoun

    A word meaning the early bird gets the worm

  153. don’t judge a book by its covernoun

    A word meaning don’t judge a book by its cover

Challenge round

The words that most often took more than one try in recorded practice. Hold them back for when the field is down to a few.

  1. definitelyadverb38.4% needed a second try

    In a definite way : in a way free of all ambiguity, uncertainty, or obscurity

    I will definitely be there.

  2. lengthnoun35.7% needed a second try

    The longer or longest dimension of an object

  3. syllablesnoun34.9% needed a second try

    A unit of spoken language that is next bigger than a speech sound and consists of one or more vowel sounds alone or of a syllabic consonant alone or of either with one or more consonant sounds preceding or following

  4. businessnoun28.6% needed a second try

    A usually commercial or mercantile activity engaged in as a means of livelihood : trade, line

    in the restaurant business

  5. equivalentadjective27.7% needed a second try

    Equal in force, amount, or value

    equivalent statements

  6. exercisenoun32% needed a second try

    The act of bringing into play or realizing in action : use

    the exercise of self-control

  7. plateaunoun29.9% needed a second try

    A usually extensive land area having a relatively level surface raised sharply above adjacent land on at least one side : tableland

  8. rhythmnoun29.8% needed a second try

    An ordered recurrent alternation of strong and weak elements in the flow of sound and silence in speech

  9. summarizeverb29.7% needed a second try

    To tell in or reduce to a summary

  10. analysisnoun25.4% needed a second try

    A detailed examination of anything complex in order to understand its nature or to determine its essential features : a thorough study

    doing a careful analysis of the problem

  11. beautifuladjective24.1% needed a second try

    Having qualities of beauty : exciting aesthetic pleasure

  12. believeverb22.7% needed a second try

    To consider to be true or honest

    believe the reports

  13. developedadjective22.9% needed a second try

    Having a relatively high level of industrialization and standard of living

    a developed country

  14. differencenoun25% needed a second try

    The quality or state of being dissimilar or different

    the difference between right and wrong

  15. exhaustverb26.9% needed a second try

    To consume entirely : use up

    exhausted our funds in a week

  16. generaladjective24.3% needed a second try

    Involving, applicable to, or affecting the whole

    the general equation of a straight line

  17. hypothesisnoun26.5% needed a second try

    An assumption or concession made for the sake of argument

  18. imagerynoun23.1% needed a second try

    Pictures produced by an imaging system

  19. instrumentsverb27.2% needed a second try

    To address a legal instrument to

  20. interestnoun26.3% needed a second try

    A feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to something or someone : concern

    returned the insults with interest

  21. separateverb24.2% needed a second try

    To set or keep apart : disconnect, sever

  22. superioradjective24.5% needed a second try

    Situated higher up : upper

  23. temperaturenoun24.9% needed a second try

    Degree of hotness or coldness measured on a definite scale

    running a temperature

  24. whetherconjunction24.2% needed a second try

    —used as a function word usually with correlative or or with or whether to indicate (1) until the early 19th century a direct question involving alternatives; (2) an indirect question involving stated or implied alternatives; (3) alternative conditions or possibilities

  25. approximateadjective20.9% needed a second try

    Nearly correct or exact : close in value or amount but not precise

    an approximate solution

  26. directionnoun18.8% needed a second try

    Guidance or supervision of action or conduct : management

    working under the direction of the doctor

  27. dissatisfiedadjective22.1% needed a second try

    Expressing or showing lack of satisfaction : not pleased or satisfied

    dissatisfied customers

  28. environmentnoun20.3% needed a second try

    The circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded : the factors and influences that affect the growth, health, progress, functioning, etc., of someone or something

    the home/school/office environment

  29. especiallyadverb20.3% needed a second try

    Specially

  30. expectationnoun19.2% needed a second try

    The act or state of expecting} : {sx

    in expectation of what would happen

  31. experimentnoun18.6% needed a second try

    Test, trial

    make another experiment of his suspicion

  32. governmentnoun19.7% needed a second try

    The officials comprising the governing body of a political unit and constituting the organization as an active agency

    The government was slow to react to the crisis.

  33. immigrateverb20.2% needed a second try

    To enter and usually become established; especially : to come into a country of which one is not a native for permanent residence

  34. independencenoun22.4% needed a second try

    The quality or state of being independent

  35. influencenoun17.5% needed a second try

    The power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways : sway

  36. investigateverb20.4% needed a second try

    To observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry

  37. libertynoun19.9% needed a second try

    The quality or state of being free:

  38. Montgomerybiographical name21% needed a second try

    Bernard Law 1887–1976 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein British field marshal

  39. mountainnoun20.6% needed a second try

    A landmass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill

    The sun set behind the mountains.

  40. occasionallyadverb18.2% needed a second try

    On occasion : now and then

    dines out occasionally

  41. persuadeverb17.9% needed a second try

    To move by argument, entreaty, or expostulation to a belief, position, or course of action

  42. regionnoun17.9% needed a second try

    An administrative area, division, or district; especially : the basic administrative unit for local government in Scotland

  43. representverb17.6% needed a second try

    To give a clear understanding or impression of : to describe or present clearly

    a book which represents the character of early America

  44. rhymenoun20.3% needed a second try

    Rhyming verse

  45. signnoun19.5% needed a second try

    A motion or gesture by which a thought is expressed or a command or wish made known

  46. significantadjective19.2% needed a second try

    Having meaning; especially : suggestive

  47. simpleadjective18.5% needed a second try

    Free from guile : innocent

    a simple outfit

  48. sincerelyadverb22.2% needed a second try

    In a sincere or truthful way : with truth, genuineness, or straightforwardness

    apologizing sincerely

  49. squarenoun20.5% needed a second try

    An instrument having at least one right angle and two straight edges used especially to lay out or test right angles

    ate three squares a day

Where the round order comes from

When a child finishes a word in practice here, we record how many attempts it took. This page uses 151,231 recorded completions across 260 of these 358 words, from at least 728 children, between 2025-04-08 and 2026-09-12. A word needs at least 100 recorded completions before we show a rate for it at all, and the rest of the round is ordered editorially.

What the percentage is: the share of recorded completions of that word that took more than one attempt. Words a child gave up on are excluded from both sides of it rather than counted as a miss.

What it is not: a spelling bee error rate, and not a statement about this grade. The figures are per word, from children practising on SpellingJoy: our own users working through an assigned list, not a random sample, and not necessarily children in 5th grade. A practice game that lets you try again is also not a competition where one mistake ends your turn. Read it as a signal about which words repay practice, not as a prediction of who goes out.

The rounds are broad bands for that reason. Rates are grouped 5 points at a time, and a round boundary never falls inside a group, so we never put one word above another on a difference this data cannot support. Words with too little recorded practice sit in the main round, ordered by length and syllable count, which is an editorial guess and is marked by the absence of a percentage rather than dressed up as one.

The words themselves come from this grade's curriculum lists: 50 U.S. state capitals, Academic science terms, Astronomy – major planets, Basic computer literacy vocabulary, Common idioms and proverbs, Difficult spelling words, Frequently used Latin roots, Fry High-Frequency Words, Geography – physical landforms, Grade 5 ELA – poetry & literary analysis terms, Grade 5 Math – measurement units, Grade 5 Science – scientific inquiry vocabulary, Grade 5 Social Studies – American Revolution vocabulary, Grade 5 Social Studies – U.S. government terms, Granite School District – 5th Grade Math, GreatSchools Curriculum.

Looking for the official Scripps list? The School Spelling Bee Study List and Words of the Champions are published by the Scripps National Spelling Bee and are available from spellingbee.com/study-list. This packet is ours and is not affiliated with Scripps.