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Spelling bee words for 5th graders
215 spelling bee words for 5th graders: Latin and Greek roots, ance and ence, and doubling in longer words. Easiest first.
Root port
The Latin root port means carry.
- transport
- import
- export
- portable
- report
- support
- airport
- passport
- porter
- portfolio
- important
- deport
Root tract
The Latin root tract means pull or drag.
- tractor
- attract
- subtract
- contract
- distract
- extract
- traction
- attraction
- retract
- abstract
- protractor
- distraction
Root spect
The Latin root spect means look.
- inspect
- respect
- spectator
- prospect
- suspect
- inspector
- spectacle
- perspective
- inspection
- respectful
- spectacular
- retrospect
Root rupt
The Latin root rupt means break.
- erupt
- interrupt
- disrupt
- abrupt
- rupture
- eruption
- disruption
- interruption
- abruptly
- disruptive
Root dict
The Latin root dict means say or speak.
- predict
- dictionary
- dictate
- contradict
- verdict
- diction
- prediction
- predictable
- edict
- dictation
Root graph
The Greek root graph means write or draw.
- autograph
- paragraph
- photograph
- biography
- geography
- graphic
- telegraph
- autobiography
- calligraphy
- graphite
- choreograph
- photography
Roots tele and phon
The Greek root tele means far, and phon means sound.
- telephone
- telescope
- microphone
- symphony
- headphones
- saxophone
- phonics
- telegram
- megaphone
- earphone
- xylophone
Roots scope and micro
The Greek root scope means look at, and micro means very small.
- microscope
- periscope
- microwave
- microbe
- stethoscope
- kaleidoscope
- microchip
- micrometer
- microscopic
Root struct
The Latin root struct means build.
- structure
- construct
- instruct
- destruction
- construction
- instruction
- instructor
- obstruct
- restructure
- structural
- constructive
- infrastructure
Roots aud and vis
The Latin root aud means hear, and vis means see.
- audio
- audience
- audible
- audition
- auditorium
- visit
- visual
- revise
- supervise
Suffixes ance and ence
The endings ance and ence sound alike, so learn which one each word uses.
- distance
- balance
- entrance
- importance
- allowance
- performance
- difference
- silence
- science
- patience
- evidence
- sentence
Suffixes ant and ent
The endings ant and ent sound alike, and a word with ance usually has ant.
- elegant
- pleasant
- distant
- assistant
- servant
- excellent
- student
- absent
- present
Doubling in longer words
When the last syllable is stressed and ends in one vowel and one consonant, double the consonant before ed or ing.
- forgetting
- admitted
- committed
- occurred
- preferred
- controlled
- permitted
- regretted
- referred
- submitted
- equipped
Prefixes in, im, il and ir
The prefixes in, im, il and ir all can mean not.
- incorrect
- impossible
- impatient
- imperfect
- irregular
- irresponsible
- illegal
- illogical
- inactive
- immature
- irrational
Homophones, set four
Homophones sound the same, so use the meaning to pick the spelling.
- principal“The principal read a story to our class.”
- principle“Being fair to everyone is a principle our class follows.”
- stationary“The bike stayed stationary while I fixed the chain.”
- stationery“Grandma writes letters on pretty stationery.”
- capital“The capital of a state is where its leaders work.”
- capitol“The state capitol has a big round dome.”
- aloud“Our teacher read the poem aloud.”
- allowed“Dogs are allowed in this park.”
- cereal“I eat cereal with milk for breakfast.”
- serial“Every bike has a serial number on its frame.”
- complement“The red scarf will complement your red hat.”
- compliment“She gave me a nice compliment about my drawing.”
Words often misspelled
Some words do not follow the rules, so find the tricky part and mark it.
- necessary
- separate
- definitely
- environment
- restaurant
- rhythm
- schedule
- tomorrow
- vacuum
- weird
- calendar
- recommend
Book words
Words a reader meets in books, each with what it means and a sentence.
- colossalhuge, like a giant statue“A colossal iceberg floated past the ship.”
- minusculeextremely tiny“A minuscule bug crawled on the leaf.”
- luminousgiving off light, glowing“Luminous jellyfish lit up the dark sea.”
- translucentletting some light through, but not clear“The translucent curtain made the room soft and bright.”
- vibrantbright, bold, and full of life“The market was full of vibrant colors.”
- tranquilcalm and peaceful“The tranquil lake had no ripples.”
- turbulentrough and full of wild movement“The turbulent river tossed the canoe.”
- buoyantable to float easily“A buoyant raft bobbed on the waves.”
- rigidstiff and hard to bend“The rigid board would not bend.”
- elasticable to stretch and snap back“The elastic band stretched around the box.”
- ascendgo up or climb“The hikers ascend the mountain trail.”
- descendgo down“We descend the stairs to the cellar.”
- acceleratego faster and faster“The roller coaster accelerated down the hill.”
- lingerstay longer than expected“The smell of cookies lingered in the kitchen.”
- meanderwander slowly along a winding path“The stream meanders through the meadow.”
- saunterwalk in a slow, relaxed way“The cat sauntered across the yard.”
- vigorousstrong, active, and full of energy“We did vigorous jumping jacks in gym.”
- lethargicvery tired and slow to move“The heat made everyone lethargic.”
- frigidextremely cold“The frigid wind froze the pond.”
- scorchingextremely hot“The scorching sun baked the sidewalk.”
- brittlehard but easily snapped“The dry twig was brittle and cracked.”
- potentvery strong in effect“This potent cheese has a powerful smell.”
- mellowsoft, calm, and gentle“The mellow music helped me relax.”
- ingeniousvery clever and inventive“Her ingenious idea fixed the leak.”
- diligenthardworking and careful“The diligent ants worked all day.”
- reluctantnot wanting to do something“He was reluctant to jump into the cold pool.”
- enthusiasticfull of excitement and interest“The enthusiastic fans cheered loudly.”
- franticwild with hurry or worry“We made a frantic search for the lost kitten.”
- serenecalm and peaceful, without worry“The serene garden was full of birdsong.”
- robuststrong and healthy“The robust oak stood through the storm.”
- concealhide or keep out of sight“The chameleon conceals itself on the branch.”
- revealshow something that was hidden“The magician revealed the card.”
- enhancemake better or stronger“Herbs enhance the taste of soup.”
- diminishbecome smaller or less“The puddle diminished in the sun.”
- multiplygrow in number“Rabbits multiply quickly.”
- nocturnalawake and busy at night“Owls are nocturnal and sleep all day.”
- aromatichaving a strong, pleasant smell“The aromatic bread filled the bakery.”
- resilientable to bounce back after trouble“The resilient flower grew again after the frost.”
- vividvery bright and clear“I had a vivid dream about flying.”