Words ending in 'cle' The /k l/ sound at the end of a word can spelled 'cle', especially if the word has more than two syllables. Practise this spelling pattern in Unit 26. 10 Words for... COLD Here in the UK, the days are getting shorter and the weather is getting colder. Why not practise spelling these cold-weather words in our new Cool Spelling game? Listen to the words and then collect the icicles to spell them. Watch out for enemies! -ey words How many of these -ey words can you spell? Although the letter y is usually used to spell the long /e/ sound at the end of a word, in these r...
astonished – excited and overwhelmed by surprise or shock We were astonished when the magician disappeared. astounded – overwhelmed by surprise or shock The teacher was astounded by her student’s excellent spelling score. flabbergasted – extremely surprised or astonished I was flabbergasted when she told me she loved me. flummoxed – surprised and confused to the point of not knowing how to react We were flummoxed by the mysterious phone call. nonplussed – surprised and confused to the point of not knowing how to react He was nonplussed by the question. shocked – extrem...
brilliant – very good, beyond what is usual or expected We had a brilliant time at the beach. excellent – very good, extremely high in quality The teacher said my homework was excellent. exceptional – very good, beyond what is usual or expected The restaurant serves exceptional food. fabulous – extremely pleasing The teacher was wearing a fabulous green jacket. fantastic – extremely or extravagantly good He was fantastic in the school play. marvellous – extremely good, like a miracle George concocted a marvellous medicine. outstanding – ...
bellowed – uttered loudly (like the sound of an animal) ‘Stop!’ she bellowed. croaked – uttered in a harsh and hoarse way (like a frog) ‘My throat hurts,’ he croaked. groaned – uttered in a way that expresses pain or disapproval ‘We don’t want to,’ the children groaned when their father told them to brush their teeth. grunted – uttered in a way that sounds like the short low gruff noise made by hogs ‘I suppose so,’ she grunted. mumbled – uttered in a soft and indistinct tone ‘I don’t want to,’ the ch...
depressed – in a state of severe unhappiness or despondancy She was depressed so sought help from her doctor. downhearted – in low spirits I feel downhearted about my chances of winning. gloomy – filled with melancholy and despondency Eeyore is a gloomy character. glum – moody and melancholic The rain made me feel glum. heartbroken – full of sorrow He was heartbroken when his husband left him. inconsolable – sad beyond comforting, incapable of being consoled The mourners were inconsolable at the funeral. ...
For this month's 10 Words feature, we’ve chosen a word that we’ve occasionally heard teachers describe as their nemesis: nice. Here are 10 alternatives you can use instead: affable – diffusing warmth and friendliness My sister was in an affable mood and agreed to lend me her bike. amusing – providing enjoyment, pleasantly entertaining, arousing or provoking laughter She was a friendly and amusing person. charming – pleasing or delighting Her friends adored her mother who was charming and always knew the right thing to say. delightful – greatly pleasing or ent...
While we are on lockdown, it is important to get inventive with how we stay connected with our friends, families, and communities. We’ve heard wonderful stories about virtual lessons and games nights, neighbours exchanging phone numbers for the first time, and children putting artwork up in their windows to encourage others. Here are Spellzone we’ve been working hard to help our community stay in touch too – click here to learn more about some of the things we’ve been doing. This month, we’ve decided to put communication right at the heart of our 10 Words post. Here are ten different ways of saying talk: Chat – to talk socially in an ...
For this month's 10 Words feature, we’ve chosen the word very. We use the word very to emphasise the description that follows it. Don’t forget that the alternate words we share in these articles aren’t always direct swaps. Make sure you read the example sentences to see each word used in context. You can find links to previous 10 Words articles at the bottom of the page. Here are 10 alternatives for very: 1) Abundantly - in an abundant manner, with great quantity She made it abundantly clear that she hated his taste in music. 2) Disti...
For this week’s 10 Words feature, we’ve chosen the word angry. Don’t forget that the alternate words we share in these articles aren’t always direct swaps. Make sure you read the example sentences to see each word used in context. You can find links to previous 10 Words articles at the bottom of the page. Here are 10 alternatives for angry: 1. Cross – annoyed and irritable The girl had forgotten her homework and was afraid the teacher would be cross with her. 2. Enraged – marked by extreme anger She felt enraged by the state of current...
Back at school and looking for words to describe your rejuvenated approach to your studies? This is the article for you! Last month we launched a new 10 Words blog feature designed to help you expand your vocabulary. In each article we choose a word and give you ten other words that you might be able to use in its place. Our first article of the month looked at the word happy and this week our chosen word is hardworking. Here are ten alternate words and some example sentences: 1. Assiduous – marked by care and persistent effort She was assiduous in her search for primary sources while writing her history essay. 2.&n...
Welcome to our new 10 Words blog feature designed to help you expand your vocabulary. In each article we’ll choose a word and give you 10 other words that you might be able to use in its place. To kick off the series, we’ve chosen the word happy. Here are 10 words you could use instead and some example sentences: 1) Blissful – experiencing perfect happiness At the resort, she felt blissful and carefree. 2) Cheerful – visibly happy or optimistic, promoting happiness through its nature, appearance, or good spirits The roaring fire made it a cheerful space. He was extremely cheerfu...
Being born and raised in York, England and looking forward to my holiday visiting friends in Sweden, I started to think about the words that connect our cultures. Many of these words are still used in Yorkshire and are of Old Norse origin. Here are a few examples: Barn (pronounced Bairn) - a young child Beck - a stream Berserk - going mad Brigg - a bridge Cleg - a horse fly Crake - a crow (my parents live in a village called Crayke) Dale - a valley Fell- a hill or mountain Flags - paving stones Flit - to move house ( Are you flitting? ) Foss - waterfalls or rapids - (there is a River Foss in York) Gat - got Gate - Street - Micklegate is a street in York Gawp - look Hey up (s...
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