Welcome to our fun-filled lesson, kids and teachers! Today, we’ll embark on an exciting adventure into the world of three-syllable words. These are the words that dance in our sentences and stories.
We’ll learn to clap, tap, and snap them together, turning sounds into rhythms.
Table of Contents
What are 3-Syllable Words?
Three-syllable words are words that consist of three distinct units of sound, or syllables. Each syllable typically has a vowel sound. The way to determine how many syllables a word has is by noting the peaks of prominence or the places where the vocal pattern is at its highest point, which usually corresponds with the vowel sounds.
For example:
- Chocolate (choc-o-late)
- Beautiful (beau-ti-ful)
- Computer (com-pu-ter)
In these examples, you can hear and feel a distinct peak in the sound for each syllable when you pronounce them.
Three Syllable Words
Here are some most common 3 syllable words that are used in our daily communication;
- Banana
- Bicycle
- Family
- Elephant
- Dinosaur
- Chocolate
- Computer
- Balloon
- Strawberry
- Alphabet
- Hospital
- Different
- Apartment
- Remember
- Melody
- Family
- Everyone
- Sandwich
- Together
- Tomorrow
- Dangerous
- Beautiful
- Kangaroo
- Telephone
- Vegetable
- December
- Umbrella
- November
- Butterfly
- Exercise
- Calendar
- Everything
- Universe
- Favorite
- Fantastic
- Important
- Discover
- Happiness
- Excellent
- Delicious
- Adventure
- Magazine
- Character
- Musician
- Animal
- Caterpillar
- Restaurant
- Yesterday
- Spaghetti
- Library
- Suddenly
- Mystery
- Treasure
- Celebrate
Three-Syllable Words List A to Z
3-Syllable Words Starting with A
- abandon
- abdicate
- abolish
- absolute
- abundant
- acceptance
- accident
- accountant
- accurate
- achievement
- acknowledge
- activate
- addition
- adjustment
- admission
- adopted
- advantage
- adventure
- advertise
- adviser
- advocate
- afternoon
- agency
- agenda
- agreement
- alcohol
- alien
- alliance
- allocate
- allowance
- amazing
- ambition
- ambitious
- ambulance
- amendment
- analyse
- analyst
- angelic
- animal
- announcement
- apartment
- appearance
- appendix
- applicant
- appointment
- approval
- archbishop
- architect
- area
- argument
- aroma
- arrangement
- arrival
- article
- assemble
- assembly
- assertive
- assessment
- assignment
- assistance
- assistant
- assumption
- assurance
- astronaut
- athletic
- atmosphere
- attendance
- attention
- attentive
- attitude
- attraction
- attribute
- audience
- audition
- auditor
- authentic
- autograph
- avenue
- average
- awareness
Easy Three Syllable Words Starting with B
- baltimore
- banana
- barbecue
- barnacle
- barrier
- basketball
- battery
- befuddle
- beginning
- behaviour
- benefit
- bereavement
- bermuda
- biblical
- bicycle
- bottomless
- boundary
- broccoli
- buffalo
- bulldozer
- burrito
- businessman
- butterfly
- buttermilk
Three-Syllable Words Starting with C
- cabinet
- calculate
- calendar
- camera
- candidate
- cantaloupe
- capable
- capital
- careful
- carrier
- casual
- catalogue
- cathedral
- celebrate
- celery
- centipede
- century
- champion
- chancellor
- character
- charity
- chatterbox
- chemical
- chihuahua
- chimpanzee
- chinchilla
- chivalry
- chocolate
- cigarette
- cinema
- cinnamon
- circular
- circulate
- circ*mstance
- citizen
- clarify
- classify
- coincide
- collection
- collector
- colony
- commander
- commission
- commitment
- committed
- committee
- commonwealth
- companion
- company
- compensate
- complete
- completion
- component
- compromise
- computer
- concentrate
- conception
- concession
- conclusion
- condition
- conference
- confidence
- confident
- confusion
- connection
- consciousness
- consequence
- consider
- constable
- constitute
- construction
- consultant
- consumer
- consummate
- consumption
- contemplate
- continent
- continue
- contribute
- convention
- conversion
- conviction
- copyright
- correspond
- corridor
- councillor
- councilor
- counterpart
- courteous
- coverage
- creation
- creative
- creditor
- criticise
- criticism
- criticize
- crocodile
- cucumber
- curious
- currency
- customer
Simple Three-Syllable Words Starting with D
- daffodil
- dalmatian
- dangerous
- database
- debacle
- decision
- decisive
- decorate
- dedicate
- defendant
- defender
- deficit
- delegate
- delightful
- deliver
- democrat
- demonstrate
- density
- department
- departure
- deposit
- depression
- deputy
- description
- descriptive
- designer
- destiny
- destruction
- detective
- determine
- develop
- devoted
- diagram
- dialogue
- diamond
- diary
- difference
- difficult
- dimension
- diminish
- dinosaur
- direction
- directive
- director
- disagree
- disappear
- disaster
- discipline
- discover
- discretion
- discussion
- dismissal
- disorder
- disposal
- distinction
- distinguish
- distribute
- dividend
- division
- document
- dominate
- domino
- dorito
- dragonfly
- duplicate
- duration
3-Syllable Words Starting with E
- edition
- editor
- educate
- efficient
- elastic
- election
- electric
- element
- elephant
- eloquent
- emanate
- embody
- emission
- emotion
- emperor
- emphasise
- emphasize
- employee
- employer
- employment
- enable
- encounter
- encourage
- enemy
- energy
- engagement
- engineer
- enquiry
- enterprise
- entertain
- entitle
- entity
- envelope
- envisage
- episode
- equation
- equipment
- equity
- establish
- estimate
- eventful
- evidence
- examine
- example
- excellent
- exception
- excitement
- exciting
- exclusion
- execute
- exercise
- exhibit
- existence
- expansion
- expertise
- explosion
- exposure
- expression
- extension
Easy Three-Syllable Words Starting with F
- fabricate
- fabulous
- factory
- factual
- falafel
- family
- fantastic
- fantasy
- favorite
- favourite
- feminine
- festival
- firmament
- flamingo
- flexible
- formation
- formula
- formulate
- foundation
- frankfurter
- frequency
- funeral
- furniture
Three-Syllable Words Starting with G
- galaxy
- gallery
- general
- generate
- generic
- generous
- gentleman
- genuine
- gibberish
- gorgeous
- gorilla
- gossamer
- government
- governor
- graduate
- grandiose
- guarantee
- guardian
Simple Three-Syllable Words Starting with H
- halibut
- hamburger
- handkerchief
- happiness
- harmony
- harpsichord
- havarti
- hazelnut
- healthy
- heartwarming
- hemisphere
- heritage
- hesitant
- hesitate
- hexagon
- hickory
- history
- holiday
- honeydew
- hooligan
- horizon
- horseradish
- hospital
- hummingbird
- humorous
- hyena
3-Syllable Words Starting with I
- icicle
- idea
- illustrate
- imagine
- imitate
- impactful
- implement
- importance
- important
- impression
- impressive
- improvement
- incentive
- incidence
- incident
- indicate
- indigo
- industry
- infection
- inflation
- influence
- inhaler
- inherit
- inhibit
- injection
- injury
- innocent
- inquiry
- insecure
- insightful
- inspection
- inspector
- institute
- instruction
- instrument
- insulin
- integrate
- intension
- intention
- interest
- interface
- interfere
- internal
- interpret
- interrupt
- interval
- intervene
- interview
- introduce
- invasion
- investment
- investor
- involvement
- isolate
- ivory
Easy Three-Syllable Words Starting with J
- jacuzzi
- janitor
- javelin
- jellybean
- jeopardy
- jetliner
- jewelry
- jocular
- journalist
- jubilant
- jupiter
- justify
- juvenile
Simple Three Syllable Words Starting with K
- kangaroo
- karate
- kielbasa
- kinetic
- kissably
- knowingly
3-Syllable Words Starting with L
- ladybug
- lasagna
- leadership
- liberal
- liberty
- library
- licorice
- limited
- litany
- location
- logical
- lollypop
- loyalty
Easy Three-Syllable Words Starting with M
- magazine
- magistrate
- majestic
- management
- manager
- marketing
- masculine
- measurement
- mechanism
- medical
- medicine
- medium
- melody
- membership
- memory
- mercury
- microwave
- mineral
- minimum
- minister
- ministry
- modify
- molecule
- monitor
- mosquito
- motivate
- multiply
- museum
- musical
- musician
- mystery
Three-Syllable Words Starting with N
- nautical
- nectarine
- negligent
- neighborly
- newspaper
- nightingale
- nocturnal
- notable
- numerous
- nursery
Simple Three-Syllable Words Starting with O
- objection
- objective
- observer
- occasion
- occupy
- october
- octopus
- offender
- officer
- official
- olympics
- opening
- opera
- operate
- opinion
- opponent
- opposite
- optimum
- orderly
- organic
- organise
- organism
- organize
- origin
- ornament
- overcome
- overnight
- ownership
- oxygen
3-Syllable Words Starting with P
- pajamas
- papaya
- parachute
- paragraph
- parliament
- parmesan
- particle
- partnership
- passenger
- pelican
- penalty
- penetrate
- pensioner
- percentage
- perception
- perfection
- performance
- period
- permanent
- permission
- personnel
- perspective
- petunia
- photograph
- piano
- piccolo
- pineapple
- platypus
- poetry
- policeman
- policy
- pollution
- porcupine
- portfolio
- portugal
- position
- possession
- potato
- potential
- preference
- pregnancy
- premium
- president
- principle
- prisoner
- privilege
- procedure
- proceeding
- processor
- producer
- production
- profession
- professor
- promotion
- property
- proportion
- proposal
- protection
- protein
- provision
- publisher
- punishment
- purchaser
Easy Three Syllable Words Starting with Q
- quadruple
- quadruplet
- qualify
- quality
- quantity
- quarentine
- quintuplet
- quizzical
- quotable
- quotation
Three-Syllable Words Starting with R
- radical
- radio
- raspberry
- ratio
- rattlesnake
- reaction
- readily
- realise
- realize
- reassure
- receiver
- reception
- recession
- recipe
- recognise
- recognize
- recommend
- recording
- recover
- rectangle
- reduction
- reference
- reflection
- refugee
- refusal
- register
- regulate
- reinforce
- relation
- relative
- religion
- remedy
- remember
- removal
- replacement
- replica
- reporter
- represent
- reproduce
- republic
- requirement
- researcher
- resemble
- residence
- resident
- resistance
- resolve
- restaurant
- restriction
- retirement
- revenge
- revenue
- ricochet
- romania
- rosemary
- rotary
Simple Three-Syllable Words Starting with S
- salary
- satellite
- satisfy
- saxophone
- scientist
- scientists
- scorpion
- screwdriver
- selection
- seminar
- sensation
- separate
- serious
- settlement
- shadowy
- shareholder
- situate
- skeleton
- solution
- spaghetti
- spatula
- specialist
- specify
- specimen
- stimulate
- stimulus
- strategy
- strawberry
- studio
- subsidy
- substitute
- succession
- successor
- suggestion
- suicide
- summary
- supervise
- supplement
- supplier
- supporter
- surgery
- surrender
- survival
- suspicion
- syllable
- sympathy
3-Syllable Words Starting with T
- talented
- tambourine
- tangerine
- tapioca
- taxation
- teenager
- telephone
- tendency
- terrific
- theatre
- theology
- theory
- therapy
- tomato
- tomorrow
- tortilla
- tournament
- tradition
- tragedy
- trampoline
- transaction
- transition
- trapezoid
- traveller
- treacherous
- treasury
- tremendous
- tribunal
- triumphant
- tropical
- turnover
Easy Three Syllable Words Starting with U
- ultimate
- umbrella
- uncanny
- undergo
- underground
- underline
- undermine
- understand
- undertake
- ungainly
- unhappy
- unicorn
- uniform
- united
- unity
- universe
- unlikely
- unlucky
- unpleasant
- unruly
- untidy
- utensil
Three-Syllable Words Starting with V
- vacation
- vanilla
- vehicle
- victory
- video
- vinegar
- viola
- violence
- violin
- visitor
- vitamin
- volcano
- volunteer
Simple Three Syllable Words Starting with W
- wallaby
- wasabi
- watercress
- wednesday
- whimpering
- whimsical
- whoever
- withdrawal
- woodpecker
- worktable
- woverine
3-Syllable Words Starting with X, Y, Z
- xylitol
- xylophone
- yesterday
- yesteryear
- zookeeper
- zucchini
How to Identify 3-Syllable Words?
Identifying three-syllable words involves breaking down the word into its individual syllables. Here are steps and tips on how to do this:
1. Listening to Vowel Sounds
Each syllable in a word has at least one vowel sound. Listen carefully as you slowly say the word.
2. Feeling the Emphasis
Often, one syllable in a word is emphasized or stressed more than the others. This stress can help identify the syllables, but not all syllables are stressed.
3. Watching Mouth Movement
Place your hand under your chin and say the word slowly. Your mouth will drop open for each vowel sound, and your chin will make a slight downward movement. Count these movements.
4. Clapping Hands
Clap once for each syllable as you say the word. Each clap corresponds to a peak in vocal pitch or emphasis.
5. Breaking the Word Down
Try to break the word into smaller parts or individual sounds. This doesn’t necessarily mean single letters, as some syllables may consist of multiple letters.
Examples:
Fantastic: Fan-tas-tic
- Listen for the three vowel sounds: ‘a’ in fan, ‘a’ in tas, and ‘i’ in tic.
- The stress is typically on the second syllable ‘tas.’
- Clapping three times while saying it slowly can help to identify each syllable.
Celebration: Cel-e-bra-tion
- This word has four syllables, but if you stop after the third (Cel-e-bra), you can feel the three distinct parts.
- The primary stress is on ‘bra.’
University: U-ni-ver-si-ty
- Although this word has five syllables, focusing on the first three (U-ni-ver) will help you identify the three-syllable pattern.
- The stress usually falls on ‘ver.’
Remember that syllable division can sometimes be tricky and might not always follow logical spelling rules. Some words may have silent vowels or other complexities. Listening to the word as it is pronounced by a native speaker can often be the most helpful method for identifying syllables.
3-Syllable Words for All Classes
3-Syllable Words for Kindergarten:
- Elephant
- Butterfly
- Strawberry
- Kangaroo
- Chocolate
- Sandwich
- Balloon
- Birthday
- Cupcake
- Family
- Rainbow
- Dinosaur
- Airplane
- Triangle
- Umbrella
- Animal
- Caterpillar
- Telephone
- Adventure
- Tomorrow
3-Syllable Words for Grade 1:
- Computer
- Musician
- Vegetable
- Remember
- December
- Hospital
- Apartment
- Calendar
- Universe
- Fantastic
- Important
- Exercise
- Magazine
- Character
- Happiness
- Delicious
- Excellent
- Suddenly
- Melody
- Treasure
3-Syllable Words for Grade 2:
- Library
- Everything
- Hippopotamus
- Butterfly
- Celebrate
- Mystery
- Different
- November
- Dangerous
- Beautiful
- Favorite
- Discover
- Restaurant
- Spaghetti
- Yesterday
- Together
- Firefighter
- President
- Carpenter
- Chocolate
3-Syllable Words for Class 3:
- Universe
- Caterpillar
- Adventure
- Elephant
- Kangaroo
- Telephone
- Vegetable
- December
- Umbrella
- November
- Butterfly
- Exercise
- Calendar
- Everything
- Universe
- Favorite
- Fantastic
- Important
- Discover
- Happiness
Open 3-Syllable Words
These words have an open syllable pattern where the first syllable often ends with a vowel sound.
- Banana
- Tomato
- Cinema
- Potato
- Idea
- Media
- Camera
- Volcano
- Piano
- Radio
- Video
- Studio
- Diploma
- Kimono
- Bravo
- Patio
- Tornado
- Mosquito
- Avocado
- Horizon
Closed 3-Syllable Words
These words have a closed syllable pattern where each syllable typically ends in a consonant.
- Elephant
- Festival
- Hospital
- Carpenter
- Chocolate
- Beautiful
- Wonderful
- President
- Apartment
- September
- November
- December
- Sandwich
- Kangaroo
- Butterfly
- Telephone
- Vegetable
- Adventure
- Caterpillar
- Umbrella
Powerful 3-Syllable Words
These words carry a sense of strength or impact.
- Powerful
- Dangerous
- Brilliant
- Magnificent
- Creative
- Fabulous
- Ultimate
- Important
- Fantastic
- Incredible
- Generous
- Wonderful
- Positive
- Terrific
- Spectacular
- Inspiring
- Excellent
- Marvelous
- Ambitious
- Courageous
Three Syllable Words with Silent ‘E’:
- Advocate
- Candidate
- Chocolate
- Interfere
- Absolute
- Masquerade
- Palindrome
- Silhouette
- Committee
- Magnitude
- Lemonade
- Separate
- Rectangle
- Avalanche
- Heritage
- Tolerate
- Universe
- Resonate
- Celebrate
- Coordinate
Animals with 3 Syllables:
- Elephant
- Kangaroo
- Chimpanzee
- Alligator
- Crocodile
- Armadillo
- Rhinoceros
- co*ckatoo
- Porcupine
Three Syllable Words that Rhyme:
- Beautiful – Musical
- Butterfly – Certify
- Chocolate – Anecdote
- Adventure – Denture
- Umbrella – Cinderella
- Computer – Disputer
- Yesterday – Castaway
- Elephant – Elegant
- Caterpillar – Distiller
- Universe – Rehearse
Three Syllable Words Teams:
- Volunteer
- Celebrate
- Engineer
- Universe
- Adventure
- Chocolate
- Butterfly
- November
- Remember
- Elephant
Phrases with 3-Syllable Words:
- Absolutely stunning view.
- Temporary situation only.
- Universally accepted truth.
- Incredible opportunity awaits.
- Terrifying experience overall.
- Fundamental principle applies.
- Deliberately avoided conflict.
- Generosity knows no bounds.
- Documentary reveals much.
- Automatically updates itself.
Three Syllable Words Speech Therapy:
- Caterpillar
- Delicious
- Different
- Exercise
- Fantastic
- Hippopotamus
- Important
- Musician
- Telephone
- Vegetable
FAQ’s
How to Teach 3-Syllable Words?
Teaching three-syllable words involves breaking down the word into its syllabic components. Start by identifying each syllable separately, using clapping or tapping to physically segment the word.
Use visual aids, like dividing the word with slashes or dots between syllables (e.g., cel/e/brate). Practice with words that have clear patterns such as compound words (basket/ball) and gradually move to more complex words. Reinforce learning by having students create sentences using these words.
How to Pronounce 3-Syllable Words?
Pronouncing three-syllable words correctly entails understanding syllable stress patterns. Identify the stressed syllable, which is typically louder, longer, and higher in pitch. Practice by saying the word slowly, emphasizing the stressed syllable, and de-emphasizing the others.
Use online dictionaries to listen to the pronunciation, and repeat the words, mimicking the stress pattern. Consistent practice with different words helps improve pronunciation over time.
How to Separate 3-Syllable Words?
Separating three-syllable words involves identifying the individual syllables. Look for vowel sounds, as each syllable has at least one. Use phonetic knowledge to find consonants that commonly end or begin syllables.
Break the word down where there are changes in sound (e.g., di/rec/tion). Practice by writing the words and drawing lines or dots to indicate breaks. This visual representation aids in recognizing syllable boundaries.
How to Stress 3-Syllable Words?
Stressing three-syllable words correctly requires knowing which syllable receives the primary emphasis. In English, stress patterns can be complex, but certain rules help.
For instance, in many three-syllable nouns and adjectives, the stress is usually on the first syllable, while in verbs, it’s often on the second syllable (e.g., ‘REcord’ vs. ‘reCORD’).
Practice by speaking out loud and listening to native speakers, noticing how the stress alters the word’s meaning and form.
Explore More:
Objects That Start With T
