4th Grade Spelling Words
Fourth grade marks a shift: spelling starts to ride along with vocabulary from science, social studies, and math. This fourth grade spelling words list pairs the Fry Fourth Hundred (the next 100 high-frequency words, #301–400) with a set of grade-4 academic and pattern words, then breaks down the patterns fourth graders work on — multisyllable words, prefixes and suffixes, homophones, and the -tion/-sion endings. Print it, study one group at a time, or let StudySpell read each word aloud so your fourth grader can practice spelling from memory instead of copying.
The Complete 4th Grade Spelling Words List
High-Frequency Words (Fry Fourth Hundred) — 100 words
Words #301–400 by frequency. Dolch lists stop at 3rd grade, so high-frequency practice now continues with the Fry list.
Grade-4 Academic & Spelling Words — 30 words
Grade-appropriate academic and curriculum words fourth graders are commonly assigned, drawn from cited grade-4 spelling lists.
4th Grade Words by Spelling Pattern
-tion / -sion Words
Multisyllable Words
Prefix & Suffix Words
Homophones
Where these lists come from
These are widely-used reference lists, not an official standard — the Dolch and Fry “by grade” groupings are a common teaching convention, and spelling patterns vary by curriculum. Sources: Fry Fourth Hundred words (sightwords.com), 4th grade spelling words, 36-week curriculum (K12reader), 4th grade academic words, Greek roots & -tion/-sion (SpellCrush).
How to Practice 4th Grade Spelling Words at Home
Fourth graders typically get 10–15 spelling words a week, and many of those words now come straight from science and social studies units. Tie spelling practice to what your child is studying and the words do double duty.
Take one group — say the -tion/-sion words or this week’s Greek-root words — and have your child spell each from memory after hearing it. For longer words, teach them to break the word into syllables or find the root (the “graph” in photograph, paragraph, autograph). Test, then re-drill only the misses; recalling a word beats rereading it every time.
StudySpell reads each word aloud so your fourth grader practices spelling by ear, then tracks which words are mastered and which need another pass. Drop in this week’s list, try it free with no signup, and let the app handle the testing while you skip the standing-over-the-shoulder part.
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4th Grade Spelling Words FAQ
How many spelling words should a 4th grader learn each week?
Most fourth grade classes assign about 10–15 spelling words a week, often a mix of a spelling pattern plus academic vocabulary from current units. Adjust the count to keep practice challenging but not overwhelming.
What spelling words should a 4th grader know?
By the end of fourth grade, kids are typically expected to spell high-frequency Fry words, academic vocabulary (geography, photograph, evidence), -tion/-sion words (action, confusion), homophones (their/there/they’re), and multisyllable words. The lists on this page cover all of these.
Why isn't there a Dolch list for 4th grade?
The Dolch sight word lists only go up to third grade — Dr. Dolch built them from the most common words in early children’s books, which fourth graders have already mastered. From fourth grade on, high-frequency practice shifts to the Fry list (which continues to #1,000) and to academic vocabulary, which is exactly what this page uses.
What is the best way to practice spelling words?
Short, daily sessions beat one long cram. The most effective method is hearing a word and spelling it from memory, then re-drilling only the words missed. For longer words, have your child find the root or break the word into syllables. Apps like StudySpell read each word aloud so your child can practice by ear.
Are these the exact words my child will be tested on?
Not necessarily — spelling lists vary by school and curriculum, and many fourth grade lists pull from current science and social studies units. These are the most widely-used fourth grade words and patterns, so they make strong general practice. For your child’s exact list, enter their words into StudySpell.
Can my child practice these words for free?
Yes. You can try StudySpell free with no signup — enter any of the words above and the app will read them aloud for your child to spell. Pro ($7/mo) unlocks unlimited lists and progress tracking across multiple kids.
Spelling words by grade
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