Key Stage 3: spelling rules and patterns

Key Stages 1 to 4 spelling · English · Word dictation · Unit 3

• forgetting v.: failing to remember something
• forgotten v., adj.: no longer remembered
• beginning n., v., adj.: The start or first part of something
• beginner n.: someone just starting to learn or do something
• prefer v.: To like or choose one thing more than another
• preferred adj., v.: Liked or chosen more than another option
• gardening n., v.: growing and caring for plants in a garden
• gardener n.: someone who grows and cares for garden plants
• limiting v., adj.: restricting how much is possible or allowed
• limited adj., v.: restricted in amount, size, or scope
• limitation n.: a restriction or weakness that limits something
• myth n.: a traditional story or a widely held false belief
• gym n.: a place where people exercise
• Egypt n.: A country mainly in northeastern Africa
• pyramid n.: a solid shape with triangular sides meeting at a point
• mystery n.: Something unknown or difficult to explain
• young adj., n.: Not old; in an early stage of life
• touch v., n.: To put a hand or body part on something
• double adj., v., n.: Twice as much or as many
• trouble n., v.: Difficulty, problems, or distress
• country n.: A nation with its own government
• disappoint v.: to make someone sad by not meeting their hopes
• disagree v.: to have a different opinion
• disobey v.: to refuse or fail to follow a rule or order
• misbehave v.: to behave badly
• mislead v.: to make someone believe something that is not true
• misspell v.: to spell a word incorrectly
• inactive adj.: not active, working, or in use
• incorrect adj.: wrong or not accurate
• illegal adj.: Not allowed by law
• illegible adj.: impossible or very difficult to read
• immature adj.: not fully grown or behaving childishly
• immortal adj., n.: able to live forever
• impossible adj.: Unable to happen or be done
• impatient adj.: annoyed by waiting or eager for something to happen
• imperfect adj., n.: having faults or not being complete
• irregular adj.: not following a usual pattern or regular schedule
• irrelevant adj.: not connected to the subject being discussed
• irresponsible adj.: acting without care for duties or consequences
• redo v.: to do something again
• refresh v.: to make fresh again or update what is displayed
• return v., n.: To come or go back; to give something back
• reappear v.: to appear again
• redecorate v.: to change a room's paint, wallpaper, or decorations
• subdivide v.: to divide something into smaller parts
• subheading n.: a title for a smaller section of a text
• submarine n., adj.: a vessel that travels underwater
• submerge v.: to put or go completely underwater
• interact v.: to communicate or act with others
• intercity adj.: travelling or operating between cities
• international adj., n.: Involving two or more countries
• interrelated adj.: connected with and affecting each other
• supermarket n.: A large shop selling food and household goods
• superman n.: a man with extraordinary strength or abilities
• superstar n.: an extremely famous and successful performer
• antiseptic adj., n.: preventing infection by killing germs
• anti-clockwise adv., adj.: in the opposite direction to a clock's hands
• antisocial adj.: avoiding company or behaving harmfully toward others
• autobiography n.: the story of someone's life written by that person
• autograph n., v.: a famous person's signature; to sign for a fan
• information n.: facts or details about something
• adoration n.: deep love and admiration
• sensation n.: a feeling experienced through the senses
• preparation n.: The act of getting ready for something
• admiration n.: a feeling of respect and approval
• sadly adv.: in an unhappy way; unfortunately
• completely adv.: Totally; in every way
• usually adv.: Most of the time
• finally adv.: At last; after everything else
• comically adv.: in a funny or amusing way
• happily adv.: with happiness; willingly
• angrily adv.: in a way that shows anger
• gently adv.: softly and carefully, without force
• simply adv.: In an easy way; just or only
• humbly adv.: without pride or a sense of superiority
• nobly adv.: in an honorable, generous, or selfless way
• basically adv.: in the most important ways; essentially
• frantically adv.: in a hurried, anxious, or desperate way
• dramatically adv.: by a large, noticeable amount; in a theatrical way
• truly adv.: Really or sincerely
• duly adv.: in the proper or expected way or at the right time
• wholly adv.: completely or entirely
• publicly adv.: openly, where people can see or hear
• measure v., n.: Find the size or amount of something
• treasure n., v.: valuable things such as gold, silver, and jewels
• pleasure n.: A feeling of happiness or enjoyment
• enclosure n.: an area surrounded by a fence or wall
• creature n.: a living being, especially an animal
• furniture n.: Movable items such as tables, chairs, and beds
• picture n., v.: An image, drawing, or photograph
• nature n.: The natural world of plants, animals, and land
• adventure n.: An exciting or unusual experience
• division n.: The act of separating into parts
• invasion n.: an unwanted or forceful entry into a place or life
• confusion n.: a state of not understanding clearly
• decision n.: A choice made after thinking
• collision n.: an accident in which moving things hit each other
• television n.: A device or system for watching video broadcasts
• poisonous adj.: containing poison that can cause illness or death
• dangerous adj.: Likely to cause harm or injury
• mountainous adj.: having many mountains
• tremendous adj.: very great in amount, strength, or quality
• enormous adj.: extremely large in size or amount
• jealous adj.: unhappy about others' advantages or a rival's attention
• humorous adj.: funny or intended to make people laugh
• glamorous adj.: attractive in an exciting, stylish, or luxurious way
• vigorous adj.: strong, active, and full of energy
• courageous adj.: brave when facing danger or difficulty
• outrageous adj.: shocking, unacceptable, or extremely unusual
• serious adj.: Important or requiring careful attention
• obvious adj.: Easy to see or understand
• curious adj.: wanting to know more; unusual
• hideous adj.: extremely ugly or unpleasant
• spontaneous adj.: happening naturally, without planning
• courteous adj.: polite and respectful toward others
• invention n.: a newly created thing, or the act of creating it
• injection n.: putting a substance into the body with a needle
• action n., v.: Something done to achieve a result
• hesitation n.: a pause or delay caused by uncertainty
• completion n.: the act of finishing something
• expression n.: A way of showing a thought or feeling
• discussion n.: a conversation about a subject
• confession n.: an admission of wrongdoing or something kept secret
• permission n.: Approval to do something
• admission n.: Permission to enter a place or institution
• expansion n.: An increase in size, amount, or scope
• extension n.: An added part or extra length or time
• comprehension n.: the ability to understand something
• tension n., v.: a feeling of worry, strain, or hostility
• musician n.: someone who plays or creates music
• electrician n.: someone who installs or repairs electrical systems
• magician n.: someone who performs magic tricks
• politician n.: someone who works in politics
• mathematician n.: someone who studies or works in mathematics
• scheme n., v.: a plan for doing something
• chorus n., v.: a repeated part of a song; a group of singers
• chemist n.: a chemistry scientist; a pharmacist in British English
• echo n., v.: A sound heard again after it reflects
• character n.: A person's qualities or a figure in a story
• chef n.: a professional cook, especially in a restaurant
• chalet n.: a wooden mountain house with a sloping roof
• machine n., v.: A device that performs a task
• brochure n.: a small booklet with information about something
• league n.: A group of teams that compete with one another
• tongue n.: the part inside your mouth used for tasting and speaking
• antique n., adj.: an old object valued for its age
• unique adj.: Unlike anything else; one of a kind
• science n.: Study of the natural world through evidence
• scene n.: a place of action or a part of a play or film
• discipline n., v.: self-control and the habit of following rules
• fascinate v.: to interest someone very much
• crescent n., adj.: a curved shape that is wide centrally with pointed ends
• vein n.: a blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart
• weigh v.: to measure how heavy something is
• obey v.: to do what a person, rule, or law tells you
• accept v.: To agree to receive or approve something
• except prep., conj., v.: Not including; apart from
• affect v., n.: To influence or change something
• effect n., v.: A change or result caused by something
• vicious adj.: deliberately cruel or violent
• precious adj.: very valuable or deeply loved
• delicious adj.: very pleasant to taste or smell
• malicious adj.: intended to hurt someone or cause harm
• suspicious adj.: causing or feeling doubt about someone's honesty
• gracious adj.: kind, polite, and considerate
• spacious adj.: having plenty of room
• anxious adj.: worried or nervous about what might happen
• ambitious adj.: determined to succeed or achieve difficult goals
• cautious adj.: careful to avoid danger or mistakes
• fictitious adj.: invented rather than real or true
• infectious adj.: able to spread disease or feelings to others
• nutritious adj.: providing substances needed for health and growth
• official adj., n.: Authorized; a person holding public office
• artificial adj.: made by people rather than occurring naturally
• partial adj.: Not complete; involving only part of something
• confidential adj.: private and not to be shared with others
• essential adj., n.: Absolutely necessary
• initial adj., n., v.: Happening at the beginning; first
• financial adj.: Related to money or finance
• commercial adj., n.: Related to business or selling goods
• provincial adj.: relating to a province; having narrow views
• observant adj.: quick to notice things; following religious rules
• observance n.: following a rule or custom; a religious ceremony
• observation n.: careful watching; a comment about something noticed
• expectant adj.: waiting hopefully for something; expecting a baby
• expectation n.: a belief about what will happen or should happen
• hesitant adj.: slow to act or speak because you feel unsure
• hesitancy n.: uncertainty that makes you slow to act or speak
• tolerant adj.: accepting differences; able to endure something
• tolerance n.: acceptance of differences or unpleasant conditions
• toleration n.: allowing beliefs or behaviour you disagree with
• substance n.: A type of material; the main content of something
• substantial adj.: Large in amount or importance
• innocent adj., n.: not guilty of wrongdoing; harmless or naive
• innocence n.: the state of being not guilty or inexperienced
• decent adj.: good enough; honest, kind, or socially acceptable
• decency n.: honest, kind, and socially acceptable behaviour
• frequent adj., v.: happening often; to visit a place regularly
• frequency n.: How often something happens or repeats
• confident adj.: sure of your abilities or of a positive outcome
• confidence n.: Trust in yourself or in someone or something
• assistant n., adj.: A person who helps someone with work
• assistance n.: help or support
• obedient adj.: willing to do what you are told
• obedience n.: doing what you are told or following rules
• independent adj., n.: Not controlled by or relying on others
• independence n.: Freedom from outside control or support
• adorable adj.: very cute and easy to love
• adorably adv.: in a very cute or lovable way
• applicable adj.: Relevant or suitable for a particular situation
• applicably adv.: in a way relevant to a particular situation
• considerable adj.: large in amount, size, or importance
• considerably adv.: by a large amount or to a large degree
• tolerable adj.: bearable, though not pleasant or especially good
• tolerably adv.: fairly well or to an acceptable degree
• changeable adj.: likely to change often; able to be changed
• noticeable adj.: easy to see or become aware of
• forcible adj.: done using physical force
• legible adj.: clear enough to read
• dependable adj.: reliable and able to be trusted
• comfortable adj.: Feeling relaxed and free from discomfort
• understandable adj.: easy to understand or accept as natural
• reasonable adj.: Fair, sensible, or not too expensive
• enjoyable adj.: giving pleasure or satisfaction
• reliable adj.: Able to be trusted or depended on
• possibly adv.: perhaps; it may be true or happen
• horrible adj.: very unpleasant or bad
• horribly adv.: in a very unpleasant or bad way
• terrible adj.: very bad, unpleasant, or severe
• terribly adv.: very much; in a very bad way
• visible adj.: Able to be seen
• visibly adv.: in a way that can be seen or noticed
• incredible adj.: extremely good or hard to believe
• incredibly adv.: extremely; to a degree that is hard to believe
• sensible adj.: showing good judgment and practical thinking
• sensibly adv.: with good judgment and practical thinking
• referring v.: mentioning or talking about someone or something
• referred v.: mentioned or directed someone elsewhere
• referral n.: sending someone to another person or service for help
• preferring v.: liking or choosing one thing more than another
• transferring v.: moving something or someone to another place
• transferred v.: moved something or someone to another place
• reference n., v.: a mention or a source used for information
• referee n., v.: an official who makes sure sports rules are followed
• preference n.: liking or choosing one thing more than another
• transference n.: redirecting feelings about one person toward another
• co-ordinate v., n., adj.: organise people or activities to work well together
• re-enter v.: go in again or type information again
• co-operate v.: work together or help by doing what is asked
• co-own v.: own something together with someone else
• deceive v.: make someone believe something that is not true
• conceive v.: to imagine an idea or become pregnant
• receive v.: Get or accept something
• perceive v.: to notice something or understand it a certain way
• ceiling n.: the upper inside surface of a room
• protein n.: a nutrient needed for growth and body repair
• caffeine n.: a stimulant found in coffee, tea, and other drinks
• seize v.: to grab suddenly or take control of something
• ought aux.: should; used with 'to' for duty or expectation
• bought v.: Obtained something by paying for it
• nought num., n.: zero; nothing
• brought v.: Carried or took to a place; past of bring
• fought v.: battled; past tense and participle of fight
• rough adj., adv., n.: uneven or not smooth; difficult or harsh
• tough adj., n.: Strong, hard to damage, or difficult to deal with
• cough v., n.: to force air out of the throat with a sharp sound
• dough n.: a thick flour mixture used to make bread or pastry
• borough n.: a town or district with its own local government
• plough n., v.: a tool for turning soil, or to turn soil with it
• bough n.: a large branch of a tree
• doubt n., v.: A feeling of uncertainty
• lamb n.: a young sheep, or its meat
• solemn adj.: serious and not cheerful or playful
• thistle n.: a plant with prickly leaves, often with purple flowers
• knight n., v.: a medieval warrior; a title holder; a chess piece
• advice n.: Suggestions about what someone should do
• advise v.: to suggest what someone should do
• device n.: A tool or machine made for a particular purpose
• devise v.: to invent or plan something carefully
• prophecy n.: a prediction of the future, often believed divine
• prophesy v.: to predict the future, often claiming divine knowledge
• precede v.: to come before something in time, order, or position
• proceed v.: to continue or move forward
• desert n., v., adj.: A dry, barren area with little vegetation.
• dessert n.: Sweet food eaten at the end of a meal
• wary adj.: careful because of possible danger or problems
• weary adj., v.: very tired, especially after effort or stress