Study the word list: ir words Study
Learn using Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check: ir words Learn
Spelling Games: ir words Games
Listen and Spell test: ir words Test
Printable worksheets and activities: ir words Print
Handwriting worksheets: ir words Write

Study the word list: ir words

The /er/ sound is commonly found in words like fern, earn, stir and blur. It is important to recognise that this sound can be spelt in different ways and learn how to use each spelling pattern.

This list includes words that use the letter combination ir to spell the /er/ sound. Ir words can be adjectives like dirty, adverbs like firmly, nouns like circle, and verbs like squirm.

As there are four different ways of spelling the /er/ sound, you need to rely on your memory to know when to use which spelling pattern. Use the Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check activity and spelling games to learn the ir words in this list.

fir A fir tree is evergreen.
sir He wasn't sure whether or not to call his teacher sir or master.
stir We need to stir the soup.
bird The bird sat in a tree.
third My brother is in third grade.
girl The girl came home on the train.
swirl As the tide came in, she felt the water swirl around her legs.
dirt Mary got some dirt on her new dress.
shirt I need to sew a button on my shirt.
thirst Water is best for quenching your thirst.
first I was gripped by the very first sentence of this book.
skirt I tore my skirt on a nail.
squirt Add a small squirt of lemon juice to the dish.
squirm The horror film made me squirm.
birthday What are you doing for your birthday?
circle The children sat in a circle.
circus I object to animals performing in a circus.
thirty She is thirty years old on her birthday.
thirteen Fourteen is the number after thirteen.

Learn more about these words in Unit 11. Spelling choices for /er/ sound: er, ir, ur, ear + wor

Use the list: ir words

'Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check' spelling exercise for ir words Learn this spelling list using the 'Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check' activity.

Look
fir
Say
Cover
Write
Check

Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check

How to use:

Look and read the word.

Say the word. Click the speaker icon.

Cover the word.

Write the word.

Check your spelling.

fir
sir
stir
bird
third
girl
swirl
dirt
shirt
thirst
first
skirt
squirt
squirm
birthday
circle
circus
thirty
thirteen

English spelling games Spelling games using the word list: ir words

Spring spelling gameSpringtime Spelling
Spring into spelling!

Egg hunt spelling gameEgg Hunt
Crack the eggs!

Word search Word Search, small
The classic English word game.
Print version

Against the clock Against the Clock
Spelling 'against the clock'.

Mayan Temple spelling gameMayan Temple
Try the temple spelling puzzle.

Monkey Business spelling gameMonkey Business
It's bananas!

More games

Spelling test: ir words Test yourself using the 'Listen and Spell' spelling test.

Worksheets and activities Print worksheets and activities: ir words

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Handwriting worksheets: ir words Handwriting worksheets: ir words


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This word list was created by Spellzone. View more Spellzone course lists or curriculum word lists.

Other lists from Unit 11. Spelling choices for /er/ sound: er, ir, ur, ear + wor

ur words
er and ear words This list contains British English spellings
ur - longer words
ir and ear - longer words
er - longer words
wor words

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