Spelling list: oi and oy words

The letter combinations oi and oy are used to represent the same sound in different words. For example, oil and coin have the oi pattern, while boy and joy use oy.

When spelling words with oi or oy, make sure you use the correct combination:

If the /oi/ sound falls in the middle of a word, use the letters oi to spell it.

If the /oi/ sound falls at the end of a word, use the letters oy to spell it.

Be aware of exceptions, such as in oyster, coyote, and the past tense forms of verbs that end in oy like enjoyed or deployed.

Try out our pattern-recognition games like Bouncing Anagrams to help you make sure you get the letters in the right order.

boil	Will you boil the kettle for tea?
foil	They wrapped the sandwiches in foil.
soil	This garden soil is good quality.
spoil	Please don't spoil the game by cheating.
toil	He began to toil up the hill.
coin	The coin featured the monarch's profile.
join	The musician had to audition to join the band.
loin	Loin of lamb is a very tender meat.
joint	Your elbow is a hinge joint. *
void	The contract was deemed void.
hoist	He used a hoist to lift the weight.
joist	You need a new joist fitted above that door.
moist	This chocolate cake is very moist.
choice	There is a good choice of food in the canteen. *
voice	His voice was very faint.
noise	Did you hear that strange noise?
boy	The boy ate some cake. *
joy	The baby has brought them great joy.
toy	She loved her toy train.