- Spelling Bee Word List
- 5th Grade Bee Words
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.
- billnoun2% needed a second try
The jaws of a bird together with their horny covering
“a duck's bill”
- codenoun1.8% needed a second try
A systematic statement of a body of law
“writing code for a new app”
- liternoun2.4% needed a second try
A metric unit of capacity equal to one cubic decimeter
- 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 …”
- pintnoun0.8% needed a second try
A unit of capacity equal to 1/2 quart
- 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
- 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
- westadverb1.8% needed a second try
To, toward, or in the west
- brisklyadjective2.7% needed a second try
Keenly alert : lively
“a brisk old lady with no nonsense about her”
- 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”
- conflictnoun6.7% needed a second try
Fight, battle, war
“an armed conflict”
- 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”
- cupnoun4.7% needed a second try
An open usually bowl-shaped drinking vessel
“a fruit cup”
- 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”
- driveverb5.2% needed a second try
To frighten or prod (game, cattle, etc.) into moving in a desired direction
“drive cattle across the prairie”
- dropnoun5.4% needed a second try
A minute quantity or degree of something nonmaterial or intangible
“not a drop of meanness in her”
- eggsverb2.9% needed a second try
To incite to action
- expansionnoun6% needed a second try
Expanse
- expressverb3.5% needed a second try
To represent in words : state
- extendverb7.4% needed a second try
To spread or stretch forth : unbend
“extended both her arms”
- 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.”
- gallonnoun3.1% needed a second try
A unit of liquid capacity equal to 231 cubic inches or four quarts
- gistnoun4.2% needed a second try
The ground of a legal action
“the gist of an argument”
- goneadjective5.1% needed a second try
Lost, ruined
“lost looks and gone faculties”
- grassnoun5.3% needed a second try
Herbage suitable or used for grazing animals
“keep off the grass”
- happyadjective4.5% needed a second try
Favored by luck or fortune : fortunate
“a happy coincidence”
- held4.8% needed a second try
past tense and past participle of hold
- historicadjective5.9% needed a second try
Famous or important in history
“historic battlefields”
- inchnoun2.7% needed a second try
A unit of length equal to 1/3₆ yard
- jobnoun5.2% needed a second try
A regular remunerative position
“got a part-time job as a waiter”
- 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”
- kept6.1% needed a second try
Past tense and past participle of keep
- kilometernoun6.6% needed a second try
A metric unit of length equal to 1000 meters
- 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
- layverb4.3% needed a second try
To beat or strike down with force
“lay your books on the table”
- lovenoun3.8% needed a second try
Strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties
- Marsnoun2.5% needed a second try
The Roman god of war
- 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”
- 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.”
- membersnoun7.3% needed a second try
A body part or organ: such as
- meternoun5.6% needed a second try
Systematically arranged and measured rhythm in verse:
- milenoun7.1% needed a second try
Any of various units of distance: such as
- mindnoun4.9% needed a second try
Recollection, memory
“keep that in mind”
- 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”
- navigateverb5.2% needed a second try
To travel by water : sail
“navigated down to the mouth of the river”
- ouncenoun3.8% needed a second try
A unit of weight equal to 1/12 troy pound
- pastadjective5.9% needed a second try
Ago
“12 years past”
- percentnoun6.7% needed a second try
One part in a hundred
- 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
- primaryadjective5.9% needed a second try
First in order of time or development : primitive
“the primary stage of civilization”
- quartnoun4.5% needed a second try
A unit of capacity equal to 1/4 gallon or 1/3₂ bushel
- 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
- rationoun6.8% needed a second try
The indicated quotient of two mathematical expressions
- recentlyadverb5.7% needed a second try
During a recent period of time : lately
- recordverb6.1% needed a second try
To set down in writing : furnish written evidence of
- rotationnoun3.3% needed a second try
The action or process of rotating on or as if on an axis or center
- sat4.4% needed a second try
Past tense and past participle of sit
- shallverb7.1% needed a second try
—used to express what is inevitable or seems likely to happen in the future
- 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”
- 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”
- softadjective4.2% needed a second try
Pleasing or agreeable to the senses : bringing ease, comfort, or quiet
“the soft influences of home”
- sumnoun3.1% needed a second try
An indefinite or specified amount of money
“reached the sum of human happiness”
- 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
- testnoun4.1% needed a second try
A positive result in such a test
- 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”
- trembleverb5% needed a second try
To shake involuntarily (as with fear or cold) : shiver
- Uranusnoun7.1% needed a second try
The sky personified as a god and father of the Titans in Greek mythology
- Venusnoun6.6% needed a second try
The Roman goddess of love and beauty
- wildadjective4.6% needed a second try
Living in a state of nature and not ordinarily tame or domesticated
- yardnoun7.3% needed a second try
A small usually walled and often paved area open to the sky and adjacent to a building : court
- 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”
- accurateadjective11.9% needed a second try
Free from error especially as the result of care
“an accurate diagnosis”
- announceverb9.7% needed a second try
To make known publicly : proclaim
“announce a deal”
- anxiousadjective11.4% needed a second try
Characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear about some contingency :
“anxious parents”
- anythingpronoun10.9% needed a second try
Any thing whatever : any such thing
- approvalnoun8.7% needed a second try
An act or instance of approving something : approbation
“The change is subject to the committee's approval.”
- argumentnoun10.5% needed a second try
The act or process of arguing, reasoning, or discussing : argumentation
“a defense attorney's closing argument”
- armsnoun9% needed a second try
A human upper limb; especially : the part between the shoulder and the wrist
- avoidverb9.9% needed a second try
To keep away from : shun
“They have been avoiding me.”
- besidepreposition9.6% needed a second try
By the side of
“walk beside me”
- blueadjective10.1% needed a second try
Of the color whose hue is that of the clear sky : of the color blue
“a blue jacket”
- 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”
- causenoun12.1% needed a second try
A reason for an action or condition : motive
“trying to find the cause of the accident”
- cellsnoun10.2% needed a second try
A transparent sheet of celluloid on which objects are drawn or painted in the making of animated cartoons
- centernoun12.4% needed a second try
The point around which a circle or sphere is described
“a railroad center”
- colonynoun12.3% needed a second try
An area over which a foreign nation or state extends or maintains control
“a former colony”
- conclusionnoun9% needed a second try
A reasoned judgment : inference
“The obvious conclusion is that she was negligent.”
- Congressnoun7.5% needed a second try
The act or action of coming together and meeting
“the Congress of Vienna”
- consistentadjective12.2% needed a second try
Marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity : free from variation or contradiction
“a consistent style in painting”
- 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”
- controlverb8.8% needed a second try
To exercise restraining or directing influence over : regulate
“control one's anger”
- 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”
- 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”
- decadenoun8.2% needed a second try
A period of 10 years
“has been teaching for over a decade”
- 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”
- desertnoun8.7% needed a second try
Arid land with usually sparse vegetation
“lost in a desert of doubt”
- distancenoun12% needed a second try
The quality or state of being distant: such as
- dividedadjective11% needed a second try
Separated into parts or pieces
“a divided highway”
- dominateverb10.8% needed a second try
Rule, control
“an empire that dominated the world”
- drowsyadjective11.5% needed a second try
Ready to fall asleep
“The pills made her drowsy.”
- effortlessadjective9% needed a second try
Showing or requiring little or no effort
“effortless power”
- energynoun12% needed a second try
Dynamic quality
“narrative energy”
- 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”
- evaluateverb12.4% needed a second try
To determine or fix the value of
- farmersnoun11% needed a second try
A person who pays a fixed sum for some privilege or source of income
- 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
- 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”
- forestnoun8.3% needed a second try
A dense growth of trees and underbrush covering a large tract
“A fire destroyed acres of forest.”
- 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”
- frequentverb11.6% needed a second try
To associate with, be in, or resort to often or habitually
“a bar frequented by sports fans”
- giganticadjective8.9% needed a second try
Exceeding the usual or expected (as in size, force, or prominence)
- glareverb7.6% needed a second try
To shine with a harsh uncomfortably brilliant light
“glared at me with rage and hate”
- gravitynoun8% needed a second try
Dignity or sobriety of bearing
“a person of gravity and learning”
- harshadjective8.1% needed a second try
Having a coarse uneven surface that is rough or unpleasant to the touch
“granite stones harsh with lichen”
- 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”
- horizontaladjective11.7% needed a second try
Of or relating to the apparent junction of earth and sky : situated near the horizon
“horizontal distance”
- hostileadjective12% needed a second try
Of or relating to an enemy
“hostile fire”
- huddleverb8% needed a second try
To arrange carelessly or hurriedly
“the solemnities had to be huddled through at express speed”
- 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.”
- illegibleadjective10.7% needed a second try
Not legible : indecipherable
“illegible writing”
- islandnoun8.4% needed a second try
A tract of land surrounded by water and smaller than a continent
- lakenoun8% needed a second try
A considerable inland body of standing water
- legsnoun9.7% needed a second try
A limb of an animal used especially for supporting the body and for walking: such as
- Madisonbiographical name7.9% needed a second try
Dolley 1768—1849 née (Dorothea) Payne; wife of James Madison American socialite
- mainnoun11.5% needed a second try
Physical strength : force
“they are in the main well-trained”
- matternoun9.3% needed a second try
A subject under consideration
“Several other matters will come before the committee.”
- meanverb11.1% needed a second try
To have in the mind as a purpose : intend
“she means to win”
- millimeternoun12.2% needed a second try
A unit of length equal to 1/10₀₀ meter
- 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”
- Neptunenoun7.6% needed a second try
The Roman god of the sea
- ordinaryadjective11.3% needed a second try
Of a kind to be expected in the normal order of events : routine, usual
“an ordinary day”
- originnoun9% needed a second try
Ancestry, parentage
“was of humble origin”
- paintverb10% needed a second try
To apply color, pigment, or paint to
- 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.”
- 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.”
- pickedadjective10.3% needed a second try
Pointed, peaked
- plainadjective11.2% needed a second try
Lacking ornament : undecorated
“plain home-cooked meals”
- polygonnoun9.2% needed a second try
A closed plane figure bounded by straight lines
- rainnoun10.2% needed a second try
Water falling in drops condensed from vapor in the atmosphere
“a rain of arrows”
- raisedadjective8.3% needed a second try
Having a pattern or design projecting from a background : done in relief
“raised metalwork”
- readyadjective12.1% needed a second try
Prepared mentally or physically for some experience or action
- reasonnoun8.3% needed a second try
A statement offered in explanation or justification
“gave reasons that were quite satisfactory”
- returnverb11% needed a second try
To go back or come back again
“return home”
- rivernoun9.6% needed a second try
A natural stream of water of usually considerable volume
“a river of lava”
- 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
- subjectnoun7.5% needed a second try
One that is placed under authority or control: such as
- tensionnoun8.6% needed a second try
Inner striving, unrest, or imbalance often with physiological indication of emotion
- unexpectedadjective8.3% needed a second try
Not expected : unforeseen
- valleynoun11.3% needed a second try
An elongate depression of the earth's surface usually between ranges of hills or mountains
- versenoun11% needed a second try
A line of metrical writing
“a fourteen-syllable verse”
- verticaladjective10.5% needed a second try
Perpendicular to the plane of the horizon or to a primary axis : upright
- volumenoun8.5% needed a second try
The degree of loudness or the intensity of a sound; also : loudness
- wideadjective10.7% needed a second try
Having great extent : vast
“a wide area”
- 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”
- 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
- 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.
- accomplishverb16.2% needed a second try
To bring about (a result) by effort
“have much to accomplish today”
- 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)
- approachverb13.1% needed a second try
To draw closer to : near
“approach a destination”
- ceaseverb12.8% needed a second try
To cause to come to an end especially gradually : no longer continue
“they were forced to cease operations”
- centimeternoun16.9% needed a second try
A unit of length equal to ¹/₁₀₀ meter
- 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.”
- claimverb12.6% needed a second try
To ask for especially as a right
“claimed the inheritance”
- clothesplural noun15.5% needed a second try
Clothing
“I need new clothes for the winter.”
- computernoun13.7% needed a second try
One that computes
- concludeverb15.3% needed a second try
To bring to an end especially in a particular way or with a particular action
“conclude a meeting”
- coordinateadjective12.5% needed a second try
Equal in rank, quality, or significance
“keeping the branches of government coordinate”
- 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”
- 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.”
- describeverb14.9% needed a second try
To represent or give an account of in words
“describe a picture”
- discoveredverb13.1% needed a second try
To make known or visible : expose
“discovering himself … as her adoring and magnanimous lover”
- Earthnoun15.4% needed a second try
The fragmental material composing part of the surface of the globe
- 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.”
- edgenoun16.4% needed a second try
The cutting side of a blade
“a razor's edge”
- edibleadjective14.2% needed a second try
Fit to be eaten : eatable
- establishverb13.4% needed a second try
To institute (something, such as a law) permanently by enactment or agreement
“establish grass on pasturelands”
- 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)
- evidencenoun14% needed a second try
An outward sign : indication
- explainverb15.3% needed a second try
To make known
“explain the secret of your success”
- familiarnoun12.9% needed a second try
A member of the household of a high official
“the loathsome toad, the witches' familiar”
- finishedadjective12.7% needed a second try
Entirely done : brought to a completed state
“Are you finished yet?”
- 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”
- hesitateverb12.9% needed a second try
To hold back in doubt or indecision
“She didn't hesitate when they offered her the job.”
- hilariousadjective14% needed a second try
Marked by or causing hilarity : extremely funny
- 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
- 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
- Mercurynoun13.1% needed a second try
A Roman god of commerce, eloquence, travel, cunning, and theft who serves as messenger to the other gods
- 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
- 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.”
- millionnoun12.6% needed a second try
A number equal to 1,000 times 1,000
- 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
- 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.”
- perhapsadverb13.6% needed a second try
Possibly but not certainly : maybe
- planetnoun13.1% needed a second try
Any of the large bodies that revolve around the sun in the solar system
- presentnoun14.8% needed a second try
Something presented} : {sx
- probablyadverb16.4% needed a second try
Insofar as seems reasonably true, factual, or to be expected : without much doubt
“is probably happy”
- referencenoun14.2% needed a second try
The act of referring or consulting
“in reference to your recent letter”
- reviewnoun16.2% needed a second try
A formal military inspection
- revolutionnoun17.4% needed a second try
Completion of a course (as of years)
“the Copernican revolution”
- Saturnnoun14.7% needed a second try
A Roman god of agriculture and father by Ops of Jupiter
- scarceadjective13.4% needed a second try
Deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand : not plentiful or abundant
- 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)
- sourcenoun14.8% needed a second try
A generative force : cause
- storeverb15.3% needed a second try
Lay away, accumulate
“store vegetables for winter use”
- suddenlyadjective16.3% needed a second try
Happening or coming unexpectedly
“a sudden shower”
- teachernoun14.2% needed a second try
A person whose job is to educate and instruct students in a school or other learning environment
- thirdadjective16.3% needed a second try
Being next after the second in place or time
“the third taxi in line”
- trainnoun15.5% needed a second try
A connected line of railroad cars with or without a locomotive
“traveled the country by train”
- variableadjective13.6% needed a second try
Able or apt to vary : subject to variation or changes
“variable winds”
- 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
- writtenadjective13.9% needed a second try
Made or done in writing
“a written contract/agreement”
- Boisegeographical name
River 60 miles (96 kilometers) long in southwest central Idaho flowing west into the Snake River
- can'tcontraction
Can not
- prismnoun
A polyhedron with two polygonal faces lying in parallel planes and with the other faces parallelograms
- Pierregeographical name
City and capital of South Dakota on the Missouri River in the central part of the state population 13,646
- rightsnoun
Qualities (such as adherence to duty or obedience to lawful authority) that together constitute the ideal of moral propriety or merit moral approval
- aud (hear)root
A root word meaning 'to hear'
“Audio means relating to hearing.”
- dict (say)root
A root word meaning 'to say' or 'speak'
“Dictionary contains words and what they mean when we say them.”
- ject (throw)root
A root word meaning 'to throw' or 'cast'
“To reject means to throw back or refuse.”
- port (carry)prefix
A prefix meaning 'to carry'
“Transport means to carry across.”
- rupt (break)root
A root word meaning 'to break' or 'burst'
“An eruption happens when a volcano rupts or breaks open.”
- tract (pull)root
A root word meaning 'to pull' or 'drag'
“Attract means to pull toward you.”
- fract (break)root
A root word meaning 'to break' or 'broken'
“A fraction is a number that shows broken parts of a whole.”
- axisnoun
A straight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates or may be supposed to rotate
“the Earth's axis”
- cred (believe)root
A root word meaning 'to believe' or 'trust'
“Credible means believable.”
- struct (build)root
A root word meaning 'to build' or 'construct'
“Construction workers use tools to struct buildings.”
- Dovergeographical name
City in central Delaware population 36,047
- orbitnoun
The bony socket of the eye
“The orbit encloses and protects the eye and its appendages.”
- Salemgeographical name
City and port on the Atlantic in northeastern Massachusetts northeast of Lynn population 41,340
- Austinbiographical name
Alfred 1835–1913 English poet; laureate (1896–1913)
- Bostonnoun
A variation of whist played with two decks of cards
- Denvergeographical name
City in northeast central Colorado in the western Great Plains east of the Front Range population 600,158
- revoltverb
To renounce allegiance or subjection (as to a government) : rebel
- Concordnoun
A state of agreement : harmony
- Jacksonbiographical name
Andrew 1767—1845 American general; 7th president of the U.S. (1829—37)
- Lansingbiographical name
Robert 1864—1928 American lawyer and statesman
- Lincolnnoun
Any of an English breed of long-wooled mutton-type sheep
- opposedadjective
Set or placed in opposition : contrary
“with politicians, as opposed to soap, you cannot return what you have bought”
- Phoenixnoun
The capital city of Arizona
“Phoenix is one of the hottest cities in the United States.”
- programnoun
A public notice
- Raleighbiographical name
Sir Walter 1554—1618 English courtier, navigator, and historian
- redcoatnoun
A British soldier especially in America during the Revolutionary War
- resultsverb
To proceed or arise as a consequence, effect, or conclusion
“death resulted from the disease”
- Trentongeographical name
City in New Jersey on the Delaware River population 84,913
- websitenoun
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.”
- Bismarckbiographical name
Prince Otto Eduard Leopold von 1815–1898 in full
- Cheyennenoun
A member of a nation of Algonquian-speaking Indigenous peoples of the western Great Plains of the U.S.
- food webnoun
The totality of interacting food chains in an ecological community
- hardwarenoun
Ware (such as fittings, cutlery, tools, utensils, or parts of machines) made of metal
- Hartfordgeographical name
City in north central Connecticut on the Connecticut River population 124,775
- keyboardnoun
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
- Richmondgeographical name
City in western California on San Francisco Bay north-northwest of Oakland population 103,701
- Santa Fegeographical name
City and state capital in north central New Mexico population 67,947
- softwarenoun
Programs for a computer
“accounting software”
- Frankfortgeographical name
City and capital of Kentucky on the Kentucky River east of Louisville population 25,527
- Des Moinesgeographical name
River 327 miles (526 kilometers) long in Iowa flowing southeast into the Mississippi River
- Saint Paulgeographical name
City and capital of Minnesota on the Mississippi River just east of Minneapolis population 285,068
- scrib/script (write)root
Root words meaning 'to write'
“A scribe writes things down, and a script is something written.”
- Springfieldgeographical name
City on the Sangamon River in central Illinois population 116,250
- Albanygeographical name
City in southwestern Georgia population 77,434
- Helenageographical name
City in west central Montana population 28,190
- Juneaugeographical name
City and port on Gastineau Channel in the southeastern coastal strip of Alaska population 31,275
- Topekageographical name
City on the Kansas River in northeastern Kansas population 127,473
- Atlantageographical name
City in northwest central Georgia, the state capital population 420,003
- Augustageographical name
City on the Savannah River in eastern Georgia population 195,844
- Olympiageographical name
City and capital of Washington on Puget Sound population 46,478
- Columbianoun
The United States
- Columbusbiographical name
Christopher or Italian Cristoforo
- databasenoun
A usually large collection of data organized especially for rapid search and retrieval (as by a computer)
“an online database”
- electionnoun
An act or process of electing
“the election of a new governor”
- internetnoun
An electronic communications network that connects computer networks and organizational computer facilities around the world —used with the except when being used attributively
- loyalistnoun
One who is or remains loyal especially to a political cause, party, government, or sovereign
- predatornoun
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
- producernoun
One that produces; especially : one that grows agricultural products or manufactures crude materials into articles of use
- republicnoun
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
- taxationnoun
The action of taxing; especially : the imposition of taxes
- tolerateverb
To allow to be or to be done without prohibition, hindrance, or contradiction
“learn to tolerate one another”
- 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.”
- Nashvillegeographical name
City on the Cumberland River in north central Tennessee population 601,222
- Charlestonnoun
A lively ballroom dance in which the knees are twisted in and out and the heels are swung sharply outward on each step
- Harrisburggeographical name
City and capital of Pennsylvania on the Susquehanna River population 49,528
- Montpeliergeographical name
City in north central Vermont population 7855
- Providencenoun
Divine guidance or care
- Baton Rougegeographical name
City and capital of Louisiana on the Mississippi River population 229,493
- hit the hayverb
To reach with or as if with a sudden blow
“His mom told him to stop hitting his sister.”
- Little Rockgeographical name
City on the Arkansas River in central Arkansas population 193,524
- break the iceverb
To separate into parts with suddenness or violence
“broke a plate”
- when pigs flyidiom
—used to say that one thinks that something will never happen
- Honolulugeographical name
Most populous city, port, and capital of Hawaii population 390,738
- Annapolisgeographical name
City, port on the Severn River, and capital of Maryland population 38,394
- peninsulanoun
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
- Sacramentonoun
The capital city of California
“Sacramento is located in northern California.”
- unfamiliaradjective
Not familiar:
- Carson Citygeographical name
City east of Lake Tahoe, Nevada; the state capital population 55,274
- observationnoun
An act or instance of observing a custom, rule, or law
“observation of the dress code”
- Tallahasseegeographical name
City in northern Florida population 181,376
- 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
- solar systemnoun
The sun together with the group of celestial bodies that are held by its attraction and revolve around it
- piece of cakenoun phrase
Something easily done : cinch, breeze
- Indianapolisgeographical name
City in central Indiana population 820,445
- Jefferson Citygeographical name
City and capital of Missouri on the Missouri River population 43,079
- Salt Lake Citygeographical name
City and capital of Utah on the Jordan River in the northern part of the state population 186,440
- Oklahoma Citygeographical name
City on the North Canadian River and capital of Oklahoma population 579,999
- once in a blue moonidiom
Very rarely
“It happens once in a blue moon.”
- cost an arm and a legidiom
To be too expensive
“I want a new car that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.”
- better late than nevernoun
A word meaning better late than never
- let the cat out of the bagverb
To cause to : make
“let me know”
- the early bird gets the wormnoun
A word meaning the early bird gets the worm
- 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.
- 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.”
- lengthnoun35.7% needed a second try
The longer or longest dimension of an object
- 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
- 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”
- equivalentadjective27.7% needed a second try
Equal in force, amount, or value
“equivalent statements”
- exercisenoun32% needed a second try
The act of bringing into play or realizing in action : use
“the exercise of self-control”
- 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
- rhythmnoun29.8% needed a second try
An ordered recurrent alternation of strong and weak elements in the flow of sound and silence in speech
- summarizeverb29.7% needed a second try
To tell in or reduce to a summary
- 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”
- beautifuladjective24.1% needed a second try
Having qualities of beauty : exciting aesthetic pleasure
- believeverb22.7% needed a second try
To consider to be true or honest
“believe the reports”
- developedadjective22.9% needed a second try
Having a relatively high level of industrialization and standard of living
“a developed country”
- differencenoun25% needed a second try
The quality or state of being dissimilar or different
“the difference between right and wrong”
- exhaustverb26.9% needed a second try
To consume entirely : use up
“exhausted our funds in a week”
- generaladjective24.3% needed a second try
Involving, applicable to, or affecting the whole
“the general equation of a straight line”
- hypothesisnoun26.5% needed a second try
An assumption or concession made for the sake of argument
- imagerynoun23.1% needed a second try
Pictures produced by an imaging system
- instrumentsverb27.2% needed a second try
To address a legal instrument to
- interestnoun26.3% needed a second try
A feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to something or someone : concern
“returned the insults with interest”
- separateverb24.2% needed a second try
To set or keep apart : disconnect, sever
- superioradjective24.5% needed a second try
Situated higher up : upper
- temperaturenoun24.9% needed a second try
Degree of hotness or coldness measured on a definite scale
“running a temperature”
- 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
- approximateadjective20.9% needed a second try
Nearly correct or exact : close in value or amount but not precise
“an approximate solution”
- directionnoun18.8% needed a second try
Guidance or supervision of action or conduct : management
“working under the direction of the doctor”
- dissatisfiedadjective22.1% needed a second try
Expressing or showing lack of satisfaction : not pleased or satisfied
“dissatisfied customers”
- 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”
- especiallyadverb20.3% needed a second try
Specially
- expectationnoun19.2% needed a second try
The act or state of expecting} : {sx
“in expectation of what would happen”
- experimentnoun18.6% needed a second try
Test, trial
“make another experiment of his suspicion”
- 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.”
- 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
- independencenoun22.4% needed a second try
The quality or state of being independent
- influencenoun17.5% needed a second try
The power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways : sway
- investigateverb20.4% needed a second try
To observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry
- libertynoun19.9% needed a second try
The quality or state of being free:
- Montgomerybiographical name21% needed a second try
Bernard Law 1887–1976 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein British field marshal
- 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.”
- occasionallyadverb18.2% needed a second try
On occasion : now and then
“dines out occasionally”
- persuadeverb17.9% needed a second try
To move by argument, entreaty, or expostulation to a belief, position, or course of action
- regionnoun17.9% needed a second try
An administrative area, division, or district; especially : the basic administrative unit for local government in Scotland
- 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”
- rhymenoun20.3% needed a second try
Rhyming verse
- signnoun19.5% needed a second try
A motion or gesture by which a thought is expressed or a command or wish made known
- significantadjective19.2% needed a second try
Having meaning; especially : suggestive
- simpleadjective18.5% needed a second try
Free from guile : innocent
“a simple outfit”
- sincerelyadverb22.2% needed a second try
In a sincere or truthful way : with truth, genuineness, or straightforwardness
“apologizing sincerely”
- 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.