3-Letter Words for Kids (Free Printable List)
Check out our list of common three-letter words, including sight words, and fun word activities for preschoolers and kindergarteners.
Our list of three-letter words aims to help preschoolers and kindergarteners expand their vocabulary and boost their confidence in reading and spelling. These simple yet essential words appear frequently in everyday text and conversation, making them an important part of a child’s literacy journey.
Feel free to choose the words that are most appropriate for your child, and remember that this list can be used for vocabulary building, spelling practice, or word recognition.
We’ve included definitions and simple sentences for a section of three-letter words to help your child understand their meaning. Plus, you’ll also find fun activities designed to reinforce your child’s learning!
Common 3-Letter Words in the English Language:
This list includes some of the most common three-letter words for kindergarteners and preschoolers.
all
and
are
but
can
for
get
had
has
her
him
his
how
not
now
one
out
she
the
two
was
who
why
you
3-Letter Sight Words:
The phrase “sight words” is increasingly being replaced by “high-frequency words,” which refers to words that children come across frequently, rather than simply words they recognize by sight. Discover more about high-frequency words and get a free printable list of the first 100 high-frequency words your child should know here.
Note: Some of these words may be repeated from the list above.
all
and
are
big
but
bye
can
for
get
her
his
let
man
may
new
not
now
one
out
run
saw
she
two
was
you
More 3-Letter Words for Kids
ace
act
arm
ask
ate
bad
bed
bee
buy
cow
cry
dad
did
eat
end
eye
fly
fox
fry
fun
gas
gel
got
hen
ice
ink
jar
job
key
mat
mom
odd
old
owl
pat
paw
peg
pit
rag
row
rug
ten
zap
Common 3-Letter Words with Definitions and Sentences
This list includes more three-letter words that children are likely to encounter in conversation and in text, making it important for them to learn to recognize them and understand their meaning. You’ll also find words from the lists above shown with their definitions and used in simple sentences that children can understand.
☐ all: the whole of something. “We ate all the carrots.”
☐ and: used to connect words or phrases. “I like cats and dogs.”
☐ are: a form of the verb “to be” (second person singular and plural). “You are kind.”
☐ bag: something used to carry things. “She put her lunch in the bag.”
☐ big: of large size. “The elephant is big.”
☐ box: a container. “I put my toys in the box.”
☐ boy: a male child. “The boy is playing.”
☐ bus: a large vehicle for transportation. “We took the bus to school.”
☐ but: used to show contrast. “I want to go, but I’m tired.”
☐ can: to be able to. “I can read.”
☐ cat: a small, furry domesticated animal with a long tail. “The cat is sleeping.”
☐ cut: to use something sharp to divide. “Please cut the paper.”
☐ day: a 24-hour period. “It’s a sunny day.”
☐ dog: a furry domesticated animal that barks. “The dog plays fetch.”
☐ fan: something that creates airflow. “I turned on the fan to cool off.”
☐ fix: to repair something. “I need to fix my bike.”
☐ for: used to indicate the purpose of something. “This gift is for you.”
☐ get: to obtain something. “Can you get the book?”
☐ hat: something worn on the head. “I am wearing a hat.”
☐ her: possessive form of “she.” “This is her book.”
☐ him: used to refer to a male person or animal. “I gave him the ball.”
☐ hop: a small jump. “The bunny can hop.”
☐ how: asking ‘in what way.’ “How do you solve this problem?”
☐ let: to allow something to happen. “Let me help you.”
☐ log: a part of a tree trunk. “We sat on the log.”
☐ man: an adult male. “The man is tall.”
☐ mix: to combine. “Let’s mix the ingredients.”
☐ mud: wet dirt. “I stepped in the mud.”
☐ not: used to negate something. “She is not here.”
☐ now: at the present time. “Let’s go now.”
☐ one: a single unit. “I have one pencil.”
☐ out: used to indicate movement away from a location. “Let’s go out to play.”
☐ pet: an animal that is kept for companionship. “The cat is my pet.”
☐ pin: a small, sharp object. “Pin the photo onto the bulletin board.”
☐ red: a color. “I have a red shirt.”
☐ run: to move quickly on foot. “We will run to the park.”
☐ she: used to refer to a female person or animal. “She is my sister.”
☐ sit: to be seated. “Please sit down.”
☐ sun: the star at the center of our solar system. “The sun is shining.”
☐ the: used to refer to something specific. “The book is on the table.”
☐ top: the highest point or part. “My toy is on the top shelf.”
☐ wet: covered with water. “My shoes are wet.”
☐ win: to be victorious. “We want to win the game.”
☐ you: used to refer to the person being spoken to. “You are my friend.”
☐ zip: to fasten with a zipper. “Zip up your jacket.”
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