Whether you're homeschooling your 5th grader or looking to give them an extra boost in their spelling skills, 5th-grade spelling lists can be a gold mine. Get access to several lists to help your 5th grader practice sight, mathematical, and compound words. Additionally, break down tricky spelling words.
Common 5th Grade Sight Words
When it comes to spelling lists for any grade level, sight words are important. These words provide the foundation for reading. They’re also important to sprinkle throughout spelling lists throughout the year. Explore several 5th-grade vocabulary words.
allowed | beech |
column | detail |
errand | establish |
fascinate | guardian |
heroic | lumber |
major | melody |
music | ought |
remove | repeat |
salad | state |
toward | wonder |
5th Grade Compound Spelling Words
While students are introduced to compound words in other grades, the level gets upped in 5th grade. Students can add important closed and hyphenated compound words to their vocabulary. Help them learn compound words by introducing several of these spelling words with 9 letters or more for 5th grade.
babysitter | background |
breakfast | commonplace |
countdown | extracurricular |
fingernail | grasshopper |
graveyard | hamburger |
lifeguard | lighthouse |
merry-go-round | outpatient |
self-defense | spokesperson |
storyteller | surfboard |
thunderstorm | workstation |
Tricky 5th Grade Level Spelling Words
When it comes to spelling words, homophones and words with similar patterns can get confusing for 5th graders. Explore a couple of common 5th-grade spelling words that can get a little tricky.
- accept - to give consent to receive
The boy accepted the pencil that was offered. - except - other than or not including
We have to wake up early every morning except on Sunday. - capital - the most important city in a specific region
Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah. - capitol - a building where legislature meets
The capitol building is in Ann Arbor. - cause - a movement or aim that you advocate
Helen Keller devoted herself to the cause of rights for the deaf. - pause - to stop for a short moment
She paused under the awning to wait out the rain. - coarse - a rough texture
The sandpaper is really coarse. - course - the route or direction followed
The storm blew the ship off course. - complement - completes or brings perfection
On your rug, the blue complements the yellow perfectly. - compliment - an expression of praise
Her boss had nothing but compliments about her attitude. - desert - a barren, arid area of the world
The desert was filled with sand for as far as she could see. - dessert - a sweet course
The boy wanted more pie for dessert. - morning - the period after midnight but before noon
We are going to the store in the morning. - mourning - grieving the death of someone
The mother was in mourning after losing her son. - profit - financial gain
He made a profit of $10 from his lemonade stand. - prophet - an inspired teacher or proclaims God’s will
Jeremiah was a prophet in the Bible. - right - something that is morally good
Billy is known for doing the right thing. - write - to mark on paper
I need to write a letter. - wait - to stay where you are or delay an action
We will wait for the rain to stop to play ball. - weight - the mass of the body
The girl was not trying to lose weight. - weather - the state of the atmosphere (i.e. rain, snow, etc.)
The weather outside was quite bad. - whether - a choice between alternatives
I don’t know whether I want to play basketball or baseball.
Using 5th Grade Spelling Words
When you’re trying to give your child some extra spelling help, having lists to supplement their education comes in handy. After they’ve mastered their spelling lists, you might try adding in some spelling activities. Not only can these enhance learning, but they can make spelling fun. For instance, some of these words can be great for Pictionary ideas and charades clues.