Words that Start with the Letter F for Kids
Check out our list of letter F words, letter F activities, and tips for teaching the letter F sound and words to your child.
Help grow your child’s vocabulary and recognition of the letter F sound with these letter F words for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary students. While young children may not be able to read many of these words on their own, adults can read any unknown words aloud to their child, helping them hear the beginning letter F sound. Simply print out our list of letter F words to work on with your child, along with our letter F pictures to help your child practice these new words and grow a connection to their meaning.
The list of letter F words are divided into categories, including simple three-letter words, words for preschoolers and kindergarteners, and letter F words for animals, foods, and more. As you read the list of letter F words, you’ll also notice more challenging words, such as fountain and flour.
Pick and choose the words you feel are appropriate for your child, and remember that this list can be used to familiarize your child with the sound of the letter F, as a vocabulary list, or as a spelling list.
We’ve also included a definition of each word and used it in a short sentence, which can aid in growing your child’s understanding of what each word means. Extend learning even more with our list of letter F activities to try with your child.
Lists of Letter F Words
Select the words that you think are suitable for your child. Keep in mind that these lists of words can be used to help familiarize your child with the sound of the letter F, act as a list for vocabulary building, or be used for spelling practice. Younger children will likely need you to read the list to them.
3-Letter F Words
☐ fad: a trend that is popular for a short time. “The toy was a fad.”
☐ fan: a device that cools the air. “The fan keeps the room cool.”
☐ fed: past tense of feed, to give food. “She fed the dog.”
☐ fib: a small lie. “It’s dishonest to tell a fib.”
☐ fig: a type of sweet fruit. “She enjoyed eating a fig.”
☐ fin: the end part of a fish that helps it swim. “The fish uses its fin to move through the water.”
☐ fit: to be the right size or shape. “The shoe will fit her foot.”
☐ fix: to repair something. “He will fix the broken toy.”
☐ fob: a small object attached to a keychain. “He has a fob for his keys.”
☐ fog: a low-lying cloud. “The morning fog was thick.”
☐ for: used to indicate the use of something. “A fork is used for eating.”
☐ fun: enjoyable or amusing. “Playing the game is a lot of fun.”
☐ fur: the hair on an animal. “The cat’s fur is soft.”
Simple Preschool Letter F Words
☐ fade: to lose brightness or color. “The fabric will fade in the sun.”
☐ fail: to not succeed. “He did not fail; he tried his best.”
☐ face: the front part of the head. “She washed her face.”
☐ fall: to drop down. “Leaves fall from the tree.”
☐ family: a group of related people. “His family includes many aunts, uncles, and cousins.”
☐ fast: moving quickly. “The car goes fast.”
☐ feet: the plural of foot, the part of the body used for standing and walking. “Her feet were cold in the water.”
☐ few: not many but more than one. “Only a few apples are left.”
☐ find: to discover by searching. “Can you find your toy?”
☐ fire: a process of burning. “The fire is warm.”
☐ five: the number after four. “She is five years old.”
☐ flap: to move up and down. “The bird will flap its wings.”
☐ flip: to turn over quickly. “She will flip the page.”
☐ flower: a colorful part of a plant. “She picked a flower from the garden.”
☐ flow: to move along steadily and continuously. “The river will flow to the sea.”
☐ flu: short for influenza, a viral infection. “He caught the flu.”
☐ food: what people and animals eat. “She likes healthy food.”
☐ foot: the part of the body used for walking. “She hurt her foot.”
☐ fork: a tool for eating. “He eats with a fork.”
☐ forklift: a vehicle for lifting heavy things. “The forklift moved the boxes.”
☐ four: the number after three. “He has four apples.”
☐ free: not costing anything. ‘The candy is free for children to take while trick-or-treating.”
☐ freedom: the right to act, speak, or think as one wants. “We cherish our freedom.”
☐ freeze: to turn to ice. “Water will freeze at 0 degrees.”
☐ frown: to show unhappiness with your face. “People often frown when feeling sad.”
☐ fruit: the sweet, edible product of a tree or plant. “She eats fruit every day.”
☐ full: completely filled; containing all that can be held. “The glass is full of water.”
Kindergarten Words
☐ fair: even and balanced in treatment. “She plays fair with her friends.”
☐ fate: a power that is believed to control what happens in the future. “They believed it was fate that they met.”
☐ fear: to be scared of something. “She has a fear of spiders.”
☐ feed: to give food to. “He feeds the cat every morning.”
☐ fell: past tense of fall, to drop down. “He fell off the swing.”
☐ feel: to examine something by touch; to experience a sensation of something. “I feel like I may get a stomach ache.”
☐ fern: a type of green plant that has feathery leaves. “They saw ferns in the forest.”
☐ fest: a gathering or event with lots of fun activities. “They went to the food fest.”
☐ fife: a small, high-pitched flute. “The musician played the fife.”
☐ film: a movie. “We watched a film together.”
☐ flew: past tense of fly, to move through the air. “The bird flew away.”
☐ flit: to move swiftly and lightly. “The butterfly flits from flower to flower.”
☐ flop: to fall or sit down heavily. “He’ll flop down on the sofa when he gets home.”
☐ flub: to make a mistake. “I hope we don’t flub our lines in the play.”
☐ foil: a very thin sheet of metal. “She wrapped the sandwich in foil.”
☐ fold: to bend something over on itself. “Please fold your clothing and put it away.”
☐ fond: having a liking or affection for. “She is fond of chocolate.”
☐ font: a specific size and style of text. “They chose a new font for the document.”
Elementary Words
☐ facet: one side of something that’s many-sided. “Every facet of the diamond sparkled.”
☐ fang: a long pointed tooth. “The snake’s fangs were venomous.”
☐ fauna: the animals of a particular region or period. “The fauna of Australia includes kangaroos.”
☐ fathom: to understand after much thought. “It’s hard to fathom the universe.”
☐ federation: a group of states with a central government. “The United States is a federation.”
☐ finesse: skillful handling of a situation. “She handled the negotiations with finesse.”
☐ firework: a display of light or noise created by burning explosive or flammable materials. “There are many fireworks shows for the 4th of July.”
☐ fish: a water-dwelling animal. “She saw a fish in the pond.”
☐ fitness: someone’s state of health; the ability to do things with strength and energy. “My grandma improves her fitness by going for walks every day.”
☐ flame: the visible part of a fire. “The flame was hot.”
☐ fluctuate: to change level, strength, or value frequently. “Prices fluctuate often.”
☐ fortify: to strengthen or protect. “They fortify the castle to prevent attacks.”
☐ fraction: a part of a whole. “A half is a fraction.”
☐ friction: the resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another. “There is friction between the two surfaces when rubbing them together.”
☐ friend: someone you like and enjoy being with. “I made a new friend.”
☐ fry: to cook in hot oil. “We will fry the eggs.”
☐ fumble: to handle clumsily. “He fumbled with the keys.”
☐ funny: causing laughter. “The clown is funny.”
☐ futile: incapable of producing any result; ineffective. “Their efforts to unlock the door were futile.”
☐ fuzzy: having a soft texture. “The teddy bear is fuzzy.”
Food Words
☐ falafel: deep-fried balls made from ground chickpeas. “They love eating falafel with pita bread.”
☐ farro: a grain with a nutty flavor often used in salads. “They added farro to their salad.”
☐ feast: a large meal, typically a celebratory one. “They prepared a feast for the wedding.”
☐ fennel: a crunchy, slightly sweet vegetable. “He roasted fennel with other vegetables.”
☐ feta: a type of crumbly, salty cheese. “She sprinkled feta on her salad.”
☐ flour: a powder made from ground grains. “You need flour to bake bread.”
☐ focaccia: a type of flat Italian bread. “They served focaccia with olive oil.”
☐ frappe: a frozen, frothy coffee drink. “She ordered a mocha frappe.”
☐ french fries: strips of potatoes fried in oil. “He ordered french fries at the restaurant.”
☐ frittata: an egg-based Italian dish similar to an omelet. “He cooked a spinach frittata.”
☐ fruitcake: a cake made with candied or dried fruit. “Grandma makes a fruitcake every Christmas.”
☐ fudge: a soft, sweet candy. “She made chocolate fudge.”
☐ fusilli: a type of spiral-shaped pasta. “She prefers fusilli for her pasta dishes.”
Animal Words
☐ falcon: a bird of prey known for its speed. “The falcon swooped down to catch its prey.”
☐ fawn: a young deer. “The fawn followed its mother through the forest.”
☐ ferret: a small, furry pet with a long body and tail. “She adopted a playful ferret.”
☐ finch: a small bird, often colorful and sings well. “A finch was chirping in the garden.”
☐ firefly: a beetle that glows in the dark. “Children love to chase fireflies at night.”
☐ flamingo: a pink bird known for standing on one of its two long legs. “The flamingo waded in the water.”
☐ flea: a small insect that feeds on animals. “The dog was itching because of a flea.”
☐ flies: insects with a pair of functional wings for flight. “Flies were buzzing around the picnic.”
☐ flounder: a type of flatfish. “They caught a flounder while fishing.”
☐ fowl: a term often used for birds, especially domesticated chickens. “The farm raised several types of fowl.”
☐ fox: a small, wild animal known for its cunning. “A fox found a way to get through the fence.”
☐ foxhound: a breed of dog known for its hunting abilities. “The foxhound was eager for the hunt.”
☐ frog: a small, jumping amphibian. “The frog sat on the lily pad.”
☐ frigatebird: a large seabird with long wings. “A frigatebird soared above the ocean.”
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Object Words
☐ fabric: a material made by weaving, used for making clothes. “She chose a beautiful fabric for her dress.”
☐ feather: the soft plumes covering birds. “The flamingo had pink feathers.”
☐ fence: a structure that encloses an area. “The fence kept the animals inside.”
☐ fiddle: a string musical instrument. “He played the fiddle with great skill.”
☐ file: a tool used to smooth or shape objects. “He used a file to smooth the edges of the metal.”
☐ fidget: to move around restlessly. “Some children fidget in their chairs during class.”
☐ fist: a person’s hand when the fingers are curled towards the palm and held there tightly. “He clenched his fist in anger.”
☐ flag: a piece of cloth with a specific design. “The flag waved in the wind.”
☐ flashlight: a portable device that emits light. “He used a flashlight during the blackout.”
☐ flip-flops: a type of open-toed footwear. “He wore flip-flops to the beach.”
☐ flock: a group of birds or some types of animals. “A flock of birds flew overhead.”
☐ flute: a wind instrument made from a tube with holes along it that are stopped by the fingers or keys. “She played a beautiful melody on the flute.”
☐ frame: a structure that surrounds or encloses something. “The picture was in a beautiful frame.”
☐ frock: a dress or outer garment worn by women and girls. “She wore a lovely frock to the party.”
☐ furnace: a device used to heat homes or buildings. “The furnace keeps the house warm.”
Places Words
☐ factory: a building or set of buildings where goods are manufactured or assembled. “The factory produces cars.”
☐ fairground: an outdoor area where a fair is held, often with rides and games. “The fairground was filled with lights and laughter.”
☐ farm: a place where food is grown and animals are raised. “They visited the farm to see the animals.”
☐ ferry: a place where a ferry boat docks to transport people and vehicles across water. “They took the ferry to cross the river.”
☐ field: a piece of open land for farming or recreation. “The kids played soccer in the field.”
☐ fire station: a building where firefighters and their equipment are housed. “The fire station had an open day for the public.”
☐ fjord: a long, narrow arm of the sea or a lake with steep sides or cliffs, created by glacial erosion. “The fjord in Norway was breathtaking.”
☐ flea market: an outdoor market selling second-hand goods. “She found vintage dresses at the flea market.”
☐ footbridge: a narrow bridge for pedestrians. “The footbridge crosses over the creek.”
☐ fortress: a large fortified place; a fort or group of forts. “The ancient fortress stood atop the hill.”
☐ fountain: a structure that sends water into the air in a garden or city square. “They made a wish at the fountain.”
☐ freeway: a wide road for fast-moving traffic. “The freeway was busy during rush hour.”
Nature and Environment Words
☐ fallow: land left unplanted to restore its health and nutrients. “The field was left fallow for a season.”
☐ fen: a low and marshy or frequently flooded area of land. “They walked through the fen near the river.”
☐ flora: the plant life of a particular region or period. “The flora of this area is incredibly diverse.”
☐ foam: a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid. “The ocean’s waves crashed into foam on the shore.”
☐ forest: a large area dominated by trees. “They went for a hike in the forest.”
☐ fossil: the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form. “They found a fossil on the hike.”
☐ frost: a thin layer of ice on a solid surface, which forms from the atmosphere. “The frost on the window formed intricate patterns.”
☐ fungi: spore-producing organisms that feed on organic matter. “The fungi thrived in the damp conditions of the forest.”
Emotions and Traits
☐ fabulous: amazing or fantastic. “She had a fabulous time at the party.”
☐ factual: based on facts. “His argument was factual and well-reasoned.”
☐ faith: complete trust or confidence in someone or something. “She has faith in her team’s abilities.”
☐ faithful: loyal and steadfast. “His faithful dog never left his side.”
☐ fallacy: a mistaken belief. “The notion that the moon is made of cheese is a fallacy.”
☐ fantastic: extraordinarily good. “They had a fantastic view of the lake.”
☐ fascinating: extremely interesting. “The lecture on ancient history was fascinating.”
☐ fashionable: characteristic of a current popular trend or style. “She wore a fashionable hat.”
☐ fastidious: very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail. “She was fastidious about the research used in her report.”
☐ favorable: expressing approval. “The critic gave a favorable review of the movie.”
☐ favorite: The most preferred version of something. “Chocolate is his favorite dessert.”
☐ fearful: feeling afraid. “The puppy was fearful of the loud fireworks.”
☐ festive: of or relating to a festival. “The streets were festive during the holiday season.”
☐ fervent: having or displaying a passionate intensity. “His fervent plea moved everyone.”
☐ fickle: changing frequently without a good reason. “His fickle nature made him unpredictable.”
☐ fiery: having a passionate, quick-tempered nature. “Her fiery spirit was well-known.”
☐ fine: of high quality. “This is a fine example of medieval pottery.”
☐ flexible: capable of bending easily without breaking. “Yoga makes your body more flexible.”
☐ focused: paying particular attention to one specific thing. “She remained focused on her goal.”
☐ forthright: straightforward and honest. “She was appreciated for her forthright manner.”
☐ frank: open, honest, and direct in speech or writing. “He was frank about his opinions.”
☐ fretful: feeling or expressing distress or irritation. “The baby was fretful all night during the storm.”
☐ friendly: kind and pleasant. “He was known for being friendly and kind.”
☐ frugal: to not spend much money. “Her frugal habits helped her save a lot of money.”
☐ furious: extremely angry. “She was furious when she found out the truth.”
Action Words
☐ falter: to start to lose strength. “His confidence faltered when he spoke in front of the class.”
☐ fend: to look after and provide for oneself. “She learned to fend for herself when she moved into her own apartment.”
☐ fetch: to get and then bring back something. “He went to fetch a pail of water.”
☐ flinch: to make a quick movement as a reaction to a surprise. “She couldn’t help but flinch when the bird flew by her head.”
☐ flourish: to grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way. “The plants flourish in the rich soil.”
☐ fluster: to make someone nervous or confused. “She was flustered by the unexpected question.”
☐ forge: to create a relationship or new conditions with much effort. “They will forge a strong friendship despite their differences.”
☐ fracture: to crack or break something. “He fractured his arm during the game.”
Free Printable Letter F Words Lists
Simply download and print our PDFs of the letter F word lists to review with your children. One list includes all of our letter F words and the other lists features our letter F words along with their definitions and the words used in a simple sentence.
Letter F Words with Pictures
Preschoolers and kindergarteners will appreciate having illustrations to look at while learning new letter F words. As you read the words aloud to them, draw their attention to the letter F sound as you pronounce the word. Point at the corresponding picture as you say the letter F word. You can choose from our printable letter F words with pictures to color or letter F words with illustrations.
Letter F Activities
Tips for Teaching Letter F Words
- Grab a Mirror
Saying F words in front of a mirror can help children see what their mouth should look like to pronounce the letter F. Show your child where to place their teeth on their lip to make the sound. Pronounce the sound in the mirror, pointing to where your teeth are resting on your lips. The mirror will give your child visual feedback to make sure their mouth position matches yours.
- Focus on the Sound
For young children, work on mastering the sound the letter F makes before spending too much time on the letter F words. Help your child practice making the “fffff” sound, then move on to the simpler words in the letter F list.
- Make Real World Connections
If you see a letter F while running errands or notice a word from the letter F list, point it out to your child. Connecting new letters and words to real objects can help grow their understanding.