Level 10 Spelling Bee Word List
Study the complete Level 10 spelling bee word list below — a free spelling bee practice and vocabulary-building resource with 156 competition words for Level 10 preparation. Every word includes its meaning, part of speech, word origin (etymology), IPA pronunciation, and a free audio pronunciation clip, so you can study spelling, definitions, and correct pronunciation together — exactly the multi-dimensional word knowledge tested at regional and national spelling bee competitions.
- Free spelling bee word list — no sign-in or subscription required
- Audio pronunciation for every word, so you can hear correct stress and vowel sounds
- Word origin and etymology to help you reason through unfamiliar spelling patterns
- Part of speech and full definitions for real vocabulary understanding, not just memorisation
- Matched to Level 10 spelling bee competition difficulty
156 words · SpellingKids.com
| Word | Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| abnormality ˌæbnɔːrˈmælɪti NOUN Latin / English | An abnormal feature, characteristic, or occurrence, typically an unwelcome one. | 🔊 Listen |
| abridgment əˈbrɪdʒmənt NOUN Old French / Latin | A shortened version of a larger written work. | 🔊 Listen |
| abstruse əbˈstruːs ADJECTIVE Latin | Difficult to understand; obscure or profound. | 🔊 Listen |
| accommodate əˈkɒmədeɪt VERB Latin | Provide lodging or sufficient space for; fit in with the wishes or needs of. | 🔊 Listen |
| accurate ˈækjʊrət ADJECTIVE Latin | Correct in all details; exact and precise. | 🔊 Listen |
| acknowledgment əkˈnɒlɪdʒmənt NOUN English | Acceptance of the truth or existence of something; an expression of appreciation. | 🔊 Listen |
| acumen əˈkjuːmən NOUN Latin | The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain. | 🔊 Listen |
| adherent ədˈhɪərənt NOUN Latin | A follower or supporter of a particular party, person, or set of ideas. | 🔊 Listen |
| adieu əˈdjuː INTERJECTION Old French | Goodbye; farewell. | 🔊 Listen |
| adulation ˌædjʊˈleɪʃən NOUN Latin | Obsequious flattery; excessive admiration or praise. | 🔊 Listen |
| aerobic ɛəˈrəʊbɪk ADJECTIVE Greek / French | Relating to, involving, or requiring free oxygen. | 🔊 Listen |
| affectation ˌæfɛkˈteɪʃən NOUN Latin | Behavior, speech, or writing that is artificial and designed to impress. | 🔊 Listen |
| against əˈɡɛnst PREPOSITION English | In opposition to; in contact with. | 🔊 Listen |
| alabaster ˈæləbæstər NOUN Greek / Latin / Old French | A fine-grained, translucent form of gypsum, typically white, often carved into ornaments. | 🔊 Listen |
| alive əˈlaɪv ADJECTIVE English | Having life; living; full of energy or spirit. | 🔊 Listen |
| allotrope ˈælətrəʊp NOUN Greek | Each of two or more different physical forms in which an element can exist (e.g., graphite and diamond for carbon). | 🔊 Listen |
| allusion əˈluːʒən NOUN Latin | An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect reference. | 🔊 Listen |
| alter ˈɔːltər VERB Latin / Old French | Change or cause to change in character or composition, typically in a comparatively small but significant way. | 🔊 Listen |
| amalgamation əˌmælɡəˈmeɪʃən NOUN Latin | The action, process, or result of combining or uniting multiple things into a single entity. | 🔊 Listen |
| amendment əˈmɛndmənt NOUN Latin / Old French | A minor change or addition designed to improve a text, piece of legislation, etc. | 🔊 Listen |
| among /əˈmʌŋ/ PREPOSITION Old English | Situated more or less centrally in relation to several other things; in the midst of. | 🔊 Listen |
| analyze /ˈænəlaɪz/ VERB Greek/French | Examine methodically and in detail the constitution or structure of something. | 🔊 Listen |
| anonymous əˈnɒnɪməs ADJECTIVE Greek | Of a person not identified by name; of unknown name. | 🔊 Listen |
| anthem /ˈænθəm/ NOUN Greek/Old English | A rousing or uplifting song identified with a particular group, body, or cause. | 🔊 Listen |
| apologize /əˈpɒlədʒaɪz/ VERB Greek | Express regret for something that one has done wrong. | 🔊 Listen |
| appreciate əˈpriːʃieɪt VERB Latin | Recognize the full worth of; understand a situation fully; rise in value. | 🔊 Listen |
| apprehend /ˌæprɪˈhɛnd/ VERB Latin | Arrest someone for a crime; understand or perceive. | 🔊 Listen |
| arbitrate /ˈɑːrbɪtreɪt/ VERB Latin | Reach an authoritative judgment or settlement in a dispute. | 🔊 Listen |
| argand /ˈɑːrɡænd/ NOUN French | A type of oil lamp with a tubular wick that admits air to both sides of the flame (named after Aimé Argand). | 🔊 Listen |
| array əˈreɪ NOUN Old French | An impressive display or range of a particular type of thing; an ordered arrangement. | 🔊 Listen |
| ascent /əˈsɛnt/ NOUN Latin | A climb or walk to the summit of a mountain or hill; an upward path. | 🔊 Listen |
| assertive /əˈsɜːrtɪv/ ADJECTIVE Latin | Having or showing a confident and forceful personality. | 🔊 Listen |
| asthma /ˈæzmə/ NOUN Greek | A respiratory condition marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing. | 🔊 Listen |
| attire /əˈtaɪər/ NOUN Old French | Clothes, especially fine or formal garments. | 🔊 Listen |
| audacious ɔːˈdeɪʃəs ADJECTIVE Latin / French | Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks; impudent. | 🔊 Listen |
| august /ɔːˈɡʌst/ ADJECTIVE Latin | Respected and impressive; inspiring reverence or admiration. | 🔊 Listen |
| available /əˈveɪləbəl/ ADJECTIVE Old French | Able to be used or obtained; at one's disposal. | 🔊 Listen |
| awareness /əˈwɛərnəs/ NOUN Old English | Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact. | 🔊 Listen |
| baffle /ˈbæfəl/ VERB English | Totally bewilder or perplex someone. | 🔊 Listen |
| banality /bəˈnælɪti/ NOUN Old French | Unoriginality; lack of freshness; a trite or obvious remark. | 🔊 Listen |
| baritone /ˈbærɪtoʊn/ NOUN Greek/Italian | An adult male singing voice between tenor and bass. | 🔊 Listen |
| bashful /ˈbæʃfʊl/ ADJECTIVE Old English | Reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy. | 🔊 Listen |
| bauble /ˈbɔːbəl/ NOUN Old French | A small, showy trinket or decoration. | 🔊 Listen |
| beautiful /ˈbjuːtɪfʊl/ ADJECTIVE Old French | Pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically. | 🔊 Listen |
| behoove /bɪˈhuːv/ VERB Old English | It is a duty or responsibility for someone to do something; it is incumbent on. | 🔊 Listen |
| bellwether ˈbɛlˌwɛðər NOUN English | An indicator or predictor of something; the leading sheep of a flock. | 🔊 Listen |
| benediction /ˌbɛnɪˈdɪkʃən/ NOUN Latin | The utterance or bestowing of a blessing, especially at the end of a religious service. | 🔊 Listen |
| besmear /bɪˈsmɪər/ VERB Old English | Smear or cover something with a greasy or sticky substance. | 🔊 Listen |
| bifocals /baɪˈfoʊkəlz/ NOUN Latin/Greek | Eyeglasses with lenses that have two distinct parts, for near and distant vision. | 🔊 Listen |
| biomass /ˈbaɪoʊmæs/ NOUN Greek | The total mass of organisms in a given area or volume. | 🔊 Listen |
| blanket /ˈblæŋkɪt/ NOUN Old French | A large piece of woolen or similar material used as a bed covering or other warmth provider. | 🔊 Listen |
| blunder /ˈblʌndər/ NOUN Old Norse | A stupid or careless mistake. | 🔊 Listen |
| bombastic bɒmˈbæstɪk ADJECTIVE Greek / Latin / French | High-sounding but with little meaning; inflated. | 🔊 Listen |
| bond /bɒnd/ NOUN Old Norse | A relationship between people or groups based on shared feelings, interests, or experiences; a legal binding agreement. | 🔊 Listen |
| boulder /ˈboʊldər/ NOUN Middle English | A large rock, typically one that has been worn smooth by erosion. | 🔊 Listen |
| boxer /ˈbɒksər/ NOUN English | A person who takes part in boxing, especially for money; a breed of medium-sized short-haired dog. | 🔊 Listen |
| bray /breɪ/ NOUN Old French | The loud, harsh cry of a donkey or mule. | 🔊 Listen |
| brazen ˈbreɪzən ADJECTIVE English | Bold and without shame; brassy or audacious. | 🔊 Listen |
| brigade /brɪˈɡeɪd/ NOUN Italian/French | A subdivision of an army, typically consisting of a small number of battalions. | 🔊 Listen |
| bromine /ˈbroʊmiːn/ NOUN Greek | The chemical element of atomic number 35, a dark red pungent liquid. | 🔊 Listen |
| buffet /ˈbʌfɪt/ NOUN Old French | A meal consisting of several dishes from which guests serve themselves; a blow with the hand or fist. | 🔊 Listen |
| bungle /ˈbʌŋɡəl/ VERB English | Carry out a task clumsily or incompetently. | 🔊 Listen |
| buyer /ˈbaɪər/ NOUN Old English | A person who makes a purchase. | 🔊 Listen |
| cache /kæʃ/ NOUN French | A collection of items of the same type stored in a hidden or inaccessible place. | 🔊 Listen |
| callow /ˈkæloʊ/ ADJECTIVE Old English | Inexperienced and immature (especially of a young person). | 🔊 Listen |
| cameo /ˈkæmioʊ/ NOUN Italian/Medieval Latin | A piece of jewelry, typically oval in shape, consisting of a portrait in profile carved in relief; a brief appearance by a prominent actor. | 🔊 Listen |
| candid ˈkændɪd ADJECTIVE Latin / French | Truthful and straightforward; frank; informal. | 🔊 Listen |
| cant kænt NOUN Latin | Hypocritical and sanctimonious talk, typically of a moral, religious, or political nature. | 🔊 Listen |
| capital ˈkæpɪtəl NOUN Latin | The most important city or town of a country or region; or accumulated wealth. | 🔊 Listen |
| carburetor ˈkɑːrbjʊreɪtər NOUN French | A device in an internal combustion engine for mixing air with fuel. | 🔊 Listen |
| cart kɑːrt NOUN Old Norse | A strong open vehicle with two or four wheels, typically used for carrying loads. | 🔊 Listen |
| cat kæt NOUN Latin / Old English | A small domesticated carnivorous mammal with soft fur, a short snout, and retractile claws. | 🔊 Listen |
| causenutrition ˌkɔːznjuːˈtrɪʃən NOUN Latin / English | The study or application of nutrition as a cause of health or disease states (compound term). | 🔊 Listen |
| censorious sɛnˈsɔːriəs ADJECTIVE Latin | Severely critical of others. | 🔊 Listen |
| channel ˈtʃænəl NOUN Latin / Old French | A length of water wider than a strait, joining two larger areas of water; or a band of frequencies. | 🔊 Listen |
| chocolate ˈtʃɒklət NOUN Nahuatl / Spanish | A food preparation in the form of a paste or solid block made from roasted and ground cacao seeds. | 🔊 Listen |
| circumscribe ˈsɜːrkəmspraɪb VERB Latin | Restrict something within limits; draw a line around. | 🔊 Listen |
| coherent kəʊˈhɪərənt ADJECTIVE Latin | Logical and consistent; forming a unified whole. | 🔊 Listen |
| cohesion kəʊˈhiːʒən NOUN Latin | The action or fact of forming a united whole; sticking together. | 🔊 Listen |
| combination ˌkɒmbɪˈneɪʃən NOUN Latin | A joining or merging of different parts or qualities in which the component elements are individually distinct. | 🔊 Listen |
| companion kəmˈpænjən NOUN Latin / Old French | A person or animal with whom one spends a lot of time or with whom one travels. | 🔊 Listen |
| complacency kəmˈpleɪsənsi NOUN Latin | A feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements. | 🔊 Listen |
| composition ˌkɒmpəˈzɪʃən NOUN Latin | The nature of something's ingredients or constituents; the way in which a whole or mixture is made up. | 🔊 Listen |
| conclude kənˈkluːd VERB Latin | Bring something to an end; arrive at a judgment or opinion by reasoning. | 🔊 Listen |
| concurrent kənˈkʌrənt ADJECTIVE Latin | Existing, happening, or done at the same time. | 🔊 Listen |
| confront kənˈfrʌnt VERB Latin / French | Meet face to face with someone, especially with defiant or hostile intent. | 🔊 Listen |
| consequent ˈkɒnsɪkwənt ADJECTIVE Latin | Following as a result or effect. | 🔊 Listen |
| consideration kənˌsɪdəˈreɪʃən NOUN Latin / Old French | Careful thought, typically over a period of time; thoughtfulness. | 🔊 Listen |
| contact ˈkɒntækt NOUN Latin | The state or condition of physical touching; communication or association. | 🔊 Listen |
| contradiction ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkʃən NOUN Latin | A combination of statements, ideas, or features of a situation that are opposed to one another. | 🔊 Listen |
| conventional kənˈvɛnʃənəl ADJECTIVE Latin | Based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed; traditional. | 🔊 Listen |
| courtesy ˈkɜːrtəsi NOUN Old French | The showing of politeness in one's attitude and behavior toward others. | 🔊 Listen |
| credence ˈkriːdəns NOUN Latin / Old French | Belief in or acceptance of something as true. | 🔊 Listen |
| crystal ˈkrɪstəl NOUN Greek / Latin | A piece of a homogeneous solid substance having a natural geometrically regular form with symmetrically arranged plane faces. | 🔊 Listen |
| cursory ˈkɜːrsəri ADJECTIVE Latin | Hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed; superficial. | 🔊 Listen |
| debris ˈdeɪbriː NOUN French | Scattered pieces of waste or remains. | 🔊 Listen |
| deference ˈdɛfərəns NOUN Latin / French | Humble submission and respect. | 🔊 Listen |
| demonstration ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən NOUN Latin | An action or explanation showing how something works or is performed; a public display of group opinion. | 🔊 Listen |
| dense dɛns ADJECTIVE Latin | Closely compacted in substance; thick or crowded. | 🔊 Listen |
| describe dɪˈskraɪb VERB Latin | Give a detailed account in words of. | 🔊 Listen |
| destitute ˈdɛstɪtjuːt ADJECTIVE Latin | Without the basic necessities of life; extremely poor. | 🔊 Listen |
| dexterity dɛkˈstɛrɪti NOUN Latin / French | Skill in performing tasks, especially with the hands. | 🔊 Listen |
| dignity ˈdɪɡnɪti NOUN Latin / Old French | The state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect. | 🔊 Listen |
| discovery dɪsˈkʌvəri NOUN Old French / English | The act or process of discovering or being discovered. | 🔊 Listen |
| disseminate dɪˈsɛmɪneɪt VERB Latin | Spread or disperse something, especially information, widely. | 🔊 Listen |
| diverse daɪˈvɜːrs ADJECTIVE Latin | Showing a great deal of variety; very different. | 🔊 Listen |
| duplicity djuːˈplɪsɪti NOUN Latin | Deceitfulness in speech or conduct; double-dealing. | 🔊 Listen |
| element ˈɛlɪmənt NOUN Latin | A part or aspect of something abstract, especially one that is essential or characteristic. | 🔊 Listen |
| emphasis ˈɛmfəsɪs NOUN Greek / Latin | Special importance, value, or prominence given to something. | 🔊 Listen |
| enterprise ˈɛntərpraɪz NOUN Old French | A project or undertaking, typically one that is difficult or requires effort; a business organization. | 🔊 Listen |
| equitable ˈɛkwɪtəbəl ADJECTIVE French | Fair and impartial. | 🔊 Listen |
| evaluate ɪˈvæljʊeɪt VERB French / Latin | Form an idea of the amount, number, or value of; assess. | 🔊 Listen |
| exchange ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ NOUN Old French | An act of giving one thing and receiving another, especially of the same type or value. | 🔊 Listen |
| experience ɪksˈpɪəriəns NOUN Latin | Practical contact with and observation of facts or events; knowledge or skill gained over time. | 🔊 Listen |
| extraordinary ɪkˈstrɔːrdɪnəri ADJECTIVE Latin | Very unusual or remarkable; remarkable. | 🔊 Listen |
| feasibility ˌfiːzəˈbɪlɪti NOUN Old French | The state or degree of being easily or conveniently done. | 🔊 Listen |
| fluency ˈfluːənsi NOUN Latin | The quality or condition of being fluent, especially in a foreign language. | 🔊 Listen |
| framework ˈfreɪmwɜːrk NOUN English | An essential supporting structure of a building, vehicle, or object. | 🔊 Listen |
| garrulous ˈɡærələs ADJECTIVE Latin | Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters. | 🔊 Listen |
| glacial ˈɡleɪʃəl ADJECTIVE Latin | Relating to, resulting from, or denoting the presence or agency of ice or glaciers; extremely cold. | 🔊 Listen |
| gregarious ɡrɪˈɡɛəriəs ADJECTIVE Latin | Fond of company; sociable; tending to associate in flocks or communities. | 🔊 Listen |
| harangue həˈræŋ NOUN Italian / Old French | A lengthy and aggressive speech. | 🔊 Listen |
| horizon həˈraɪzən NOUN Greek / Latin / Old French | The line at which the earth's surface and the sky appear to meet; the limit of a person's mental perception or experience. | 🔊 Listen |
| illuminate ɪˈluːmɪneɪt VERB Latin | Make visible or bright by shining light on it; clarify or explain. | 🔊 Listen |
| imperious ɪmˈpɪəriəs ADJECTIVE Latin | Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering. | 🔊 Listen |
| incentive ɪnˈsɛntɪv NOUN Latin | A thing that motivates or encourages one to do something; a reward. | 🔊 Listen |
| independence ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəns NOUN French / English | The fact or state of being independent; self-governance or self-reliance. | 🔊 Listen |
| inert ɪˈnɜːrt ADJECTIVE Latin | Lacking the ability or strength to move; chemically inactive. | 🔊 Listen |
| inherent ɪnˈhɪərənt ADJECTIVE Latin | Existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute. | 🔊 Listen |
| realize ˈriːəlaɪz VERB French | Become fully aware of something as a fact; understand clearly; bring into reality. | 🔊 Listen |
| recommend ˌrɛkəˈmɛnd VERB Latin | Put forward someone or something with approval as being suitable for a particular purpose. | 🔊 Listen |
| regret rɪˈɡrɛt NOUN Old French | A feeling of sadness, repentance, or disappointment over something that has happened or been done. | 🔊 Listen |
| remarkable rɪˈmɑːrkəbəl ADJECTIVE French | Worthy of attention; striking or extraordinary. | 🔊 Listen |
| repercussion ˌriːpərˈkʌʃən NOUN Latin | An unintended consequence occurring some time after an event or action, especially an unwelcome one. | 🔊 Listen |
| reservation ˌrɛzərˈveɪʃən NOUN Latin / Old French | The action of reserving something; an expression of doubt qualifying overall approval; a tract of public land set aside. | 🔊 Listen |
| reticent ˈrɛtɪsənt ADJECTIVE Latin | Not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily; reserved or introverted. | 🔊 Listen |
| rigorous ˈrɪɡərəs ADJECTIVE Latin / Old French | Extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate; strictly applied or adhered to. | 🔊 Listen |
| scientific ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ADJECTIVE Latin / French | Based on or characterized by the methods and principles of science. | 🔊 Listen |
| sensible ˈsɛnsəbəl ADJECTIVE Latin / Old French | Chosen in accordance with wisdom or prudence; likely to be of benefit; practical. | 🔊 Listen |
| simultaneous ˌsɪməlˈteɪniəs ADJECTIVE Latin | Occurring, operating, or done at the same time. | 🔊 Listen |
| sparse spɑːrs ADJECTIVE Latin | Thinly dispersed or scattered; scanty or meager. | 🔊 Listen |
| stagnation stæɡˈneɪʃən NOUN Latin | The state of being still, static, or not growing or developing. | 🔊 Listen |
| stretch strɛtʃ VERB English | Be made or be capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking; extend. | 🔊 Listen |
| sufficient səˈfɪʃənt ADJECTIVE Latin / Old French | Enough; adequate for a specific requirement. | 🔊 Listen |
| surface ˈsɜːrfɪs NOUN Latin / French | The outside part or uppermost layer of something. | 🔊 Listen |
| symbiotic ˌsɪmbaɪˈɒtɪk ADJECTIVE Greek | Involving interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association; mutually beneficial. | 🔊 Listen |
| task tɑːsk NOUN Latin / Old French | A piece of work to be done or undertaken. | 🔊 Listen |
| testify ˈtɛstɪfaɪ VERB Latin | Give evidence as a witness in a law court; serve as evidence or proof of something. | 🔊 Listen |
| transformation ˌtrænsfərˈmeɪʃən NOUN Latin | A thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance. | 🔊 Listen |
| ulterior ʌlˈtɪəriər ADJECTIVE Latin | Existing beyond what is obvious or admitted; intentionally hidden. | 🔊 Listen |
| unilateral ˌjuːnɪˈlætərəl ADJECTIVE Latin | Performed by or affecting only one person, group, or country involved in a situation, without the agreement of another. | 🔊 Listen |
| vacation veɪˈkeɪʃən NOUN Latin / Old French | An extended period of recreation, especially one spent away from home or in traveling; a holiday. | 🔊 Listen |
| venerate ˈvɛnəreɪt VERB Latin | Regard with great respect; revere. | 🔊 Listen |
| vision ˈvɪʒən NOUN Latin / Old French | The faculty or state of being able to see; the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom; a mental image. | 🔊 Listen |
| willingness ˈwɪlɪŋnəs NOUN English | The quality or state of being prepared to do something; readiness. | 🔊 Listen |
| ziggurat ˈzɪɡʊræt NOUN Akkadian | A rectangular stepped tower, sometimes surmounted by a temple, in ancient Mesopotamia. | 🔊 Listen |
Frequently Asked Questions — Level 10 Spelling Bee Word List
How many words are in the Level 10 spelling bee word list?
The Level 10 spelling bee word list contains 156 carefully curated competition words, each with meaning, part of speech, word origin, and IPA pronunciation — matched to the vocabulary difficulty expected at regional and national spelling bee competitions for this level.
How do I hear the correct pronunciation of a word?
Click the 🔊 Listen link next to any word to play a free audio pronunciation clip. Practising with audio helps you learn correct stress and vowel sounds faster than reading IPA pronunciation alone.
Is this spelling bee word list free to use?
Yes. This spelling bee word list, its meanings, pronunciations, and audio clips are completely free to study on SpellingKids, with no sign-in or subscription required.
What information is included for each spelling bee word?
Every entry includes the word spelling, IPA pronunciation, part of speech, word origin (etymology), and a full definition — the same multi-dimensional word knowledge tested at spelling bee competitions.
How can I practice spelling these words, not just read them?
Use the free SpellingKids spelling bee flashcards or typed spelling practice to actively test yourself on this word list with spaced repetition, so hard words come back for review more often.