Spelling bee words
Spelling bee words, from easy to championship-hard
120 practice words with silent letters, double letters and borrowed spellings, grouped by level. They are good bee practice, but they are not an official contest list: if your bee uses one, study that list first.
Updated October 29, 2026
How to study for a spelling bee
- Learn the patterns, not just the words. Words borrowed from French, Greek or Latin follow their own rules (ph for f, -eau, -ology). Knowing the origin often gives the spelling.
- Ask what a bee lets you ask. Definition, sentence, language of origin, part of speech. Practice asking for them.
- Say it, then spell it, then say it again. That is how most bees run, and it catches slips.
- Spend most of your time on the ones you miss. Owl-y brings missed words back until they stick.
2nd grade (12)
- pieceone part that has been separated from a whole
- wholecomplete, with nothing missing
- wearto have clothing or shoes on your body
- thougheven if; but still
- toughstrong and hard to break, or difficult
- believeto think something is true
- ceilingthe flat top surface of a room
- sweatera knitted shirt with long sleeves
- answersomething said or written to a question
- heighthow tall something or someone is
- thoughtan idea that comes into your mind
- wroteput words on paper with a pen or pencil
3rd grade (12)
- knowledgefacts and skills a person has learned
- whistleto make a high sound by blowing air through your lips
- wrinklea line or fold in cloth or skin
- ghosta spooky figure that looks like a pale floating person
- beautifulvery pleasant to look at or hear
- especiallymore than others, or in particular
- definitelywithout any doubt
- addressthe place where someone lives, with street and number
- surprisesomething unexpected that happens or is given
- exercisephysical activity done to stay fit
- pleasantnice, friendly, or enjoyable
- sensea feeling or ability to notice, such as sight
4th grade (12)
- columna tall upright pillar or a vertical list
- occasiona special event or a particular time
- fascinateto capture someone's interest completely
- licensean official paper that allows you to do something
- mischiefplayful behavior that is slightly naughty
- bargainsomething bought for less than its usual price
- parallellines or things that stay the same distance apart
- chorusa group of singers who perform together
- desserta sweet food eaten at the end of a meal
- businessa company or the work people do to earn money
- guaranteea promise that a product will work or be replaced
- bruisea dark mark on skin from a bump or hit
5th grade (12)
- committeea small group chosen to make decisions or do a task
- bizarrevery strange or unusual
- whethera word used to show a choice between two possibilities
- receipta paper showing that you paid for something
- weirdstrange or odd in a way that is hard to explain
- subtlenot easy to notice; very slight
- chimneya tall pipe that lets smoke escape from a fireplace
- receiveto get something that is given or sent to you
- knifea tool with a sharp blade used for cutting food
- doubta feeling of not being sure about something
- oftenmany times, or in many cases
- listento pay attention to a sound
6th grade (12)
- sincerelyin an honest and genuine way
- privilegea special right or advantage given to someone
- pseudonyma made-up name used by a writer
- saila large piece of cloth that catches wind on a boat
- stationerywriting paper and envelopes
- mischievousplayful and a little naughty
- accidentallyby chance and not on purpose
- daughtera female child of a parent
- possessionsomething that you own
- solemnserious and quiet, without much smiling
- yachta fancy sailboat or motorboat used for leisure
- wrestleto struggle with someone by grabbing and pushing
7th grade (12)
- loseto be unable to find or keep something
- rhymewords that end with the same sound, like cat and hat
- bureaua wooden chest with drawers for storing clothes
- eighthcoming after seventh and before ninth
- colonela high-ranking officer in the army or air force
- recommendto suggest someone or something as good or worth using
- foreignfrom another country or unfamiliar to you
- leisurefree time when you can rest or do things you enjoy
- sheriffthe police officer in charge of a county
- laughto make sounds that show something is funny
- leaguea group of teams or clubs that play against each other
- wreatha circle of leaves or flowers, often hung on a door for decoration
8th grade (12)
- occurrencean event or something that takes place
- maintenancethe work of keeping something in good condition
- questionnairea set of written questions used to gather information
- colleaguea person you work with
- exaggerateto describe something as bigger or better than it really is
- fluorescentgiving off bright light, like some kinds of lamps
- hindrancesomething that makes it harder to do something
- nuisancea person or thing that is annoying or bothersome
- debrisscattered pieces of broken or wrecked material
- occasionallynow and then, but not often
- ridiculousso silly or unreasonable that it seems funny
- rhubarba tart plant with thick red stalks, often baked in pies
9th and 10th grade (12)
- pneumoniaa serious lung infection
- mnemonica memory aid, like a phrase that helps you remember
- bouqueta bunch of flowers
- miscellaneousvarious things of many kinds
- queuea line of people waiting their turn
- indispensableabsolutely essential or needed
- principlea basic rule or belief that guides action
- choira group of singers who perform together
- thoroughcomplete and careful in every detail
- acquaintancea person you know slightly but not well
- supervisora person who watches over workers and their tasks
- chauffeura person paid to drive a car for someone else
11th and 12th grade (12)
- minusculeextremely small in size
- reconnaissancea survey made to gather information
- bureaucracya system of officials and procedures in an organization
- aislea passage between rows of seats
- pastimean activity done for enjoyment
- dietitiana specialist in food and nutrition
- medievalbelonging to the era between ancient and modern times
- consciousawake and aware of one's surroundings
- dilemmaa difficult choice between two options
- vacillateto waver between two opinions
- sergeanta military officer ranked above a corporal
- handkerchiefa small square of cloth for wiping the nose
College (12)
- pharaoha ruler of an ancient civilization along a great river
- liaisona person who links two groups for communication
- idiosyncrasya distinctive personal quirk or habit
- connoisseuran expert who judges fine things
- millenniuma period of one thousand years
- supersedeto replace something that was used before
- aegisprotection or sponsorship by an authority
- subpoenaa court order requiring a person to appear
- gnarledtwisted, knotted, and rough
- gaugea measure or instrument for checking size or amount
- rarefiedvery exclusive or refined, or thin
- nuancea subtle difference in meaning or feeling
Questions people ask
Is this the official spelling bee word list?
No. These are Owl Test Prep's own practice words. School and national bees publish their own study lists; use those first if your bee has one.
How do I practice spelling bee words out loud?
In Owl Test Prep, Owl-y says each word and a sentence with it, you type the spelling, and missed words come back later. It is free, with no account.
What makes a word hard to spell?
Silent letters (subtle), double letters (accommodate), sounds spelled more than one way (ph or f), and spellings kept from another language (bureau).