TTile Streak

How the list and the board work

This page has a vocabulary list for 1st grade. Each word comes with how to say it, what part of speech it is, what it means, and a short example sentence, all together in one place. Tap Play this list and the board uses words from this same list, so a child sees a word here and then meets it again in the game.

We are still building this list from documented sources, so it will keep growing over time. It isn't an official state list, and it isn't labeled Common Core. It's simply a set of words that fit where a first grader's reading tends to be.

A few words from the list

These four words show what the list looks like. The full list has more words, and we're adding to it.

WordPronunciationPart of speechMeaning
happyHAP-eeadjectivefeeling good or pleased
jumpJUMPverbpush off the ground with your feet
friendFRENDnounsomeone you like and enjoy being with
shinySHY-neeadjectivebright, like it's giving off light

A few example sentences:

  • "The puppy was happy to see us at the door."
  • "She can jump over the little puddle without getting wet."
  • "He waved at his best friend across the playground."
  • "The new coin looked shiny in the sun."

These four are just examples, not today's answer. The board uses words from the whole list, so it will show different ones each time.

A few ideas for using it together

Read it out loud together. Young readers learn a lot just from hearing a word said the right way before they try it themselves.

Talk about the picture in your head. Ask "what do you see when I say shiny?" Talking about a word out loud helps it stick.

One or two words at a time is plenty. There's no need to work through the whole list in one sitting. A couple of words, read slowly, does more than a long list rushed through.

Let the game be the fun part. Play the board after reading a few words together, so it feels like a chance to use what was just learned, not a test of it.

For teachers and parents

This list works well as a short warm-up before reading time: pick two or three words, say them together, and use each one in a sentence about something in the room. It also prints cleanly if a paper copy is easier for circle time or a take-home page.

There's no pressure built into this list and no comparison to other students. Children pick up words at different speeds, and a first grader who knows five of these words today and five more next month is doing exactly fine.

More words to explore

For a step up, see 2nd grade vocabulary, or browse the wider elementary vocabulary list. For simple spelling practice with easy words, try 1st grade spelling.

The list

WordSay itPart of speechWhat it means
ADD/æd/verbMake an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of.
AGAIN/əˈɡɛn/advAnew.
AIR/ɛr/nounA mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of.
ANGRY/ˈæŋɡri/adjFeeling or showing anger.
ANY/ˈɛni/adjOne or some or every or all without specification; entity, elective existential pronoun; quantifier, elective existential.
ART/ɑrt/nounThe products of human creativity; works of art collectively.
ASK/æsk/verbDirect or put; seek an answer to.
BAG/bæɡ/nounA flexible container with a single opening.
BANG/bæŋ/nounA vigorous blow.
BAT/bæt/nounA turn trying to get a hit.
BEAR/bɛr/verbHave.
BEAUTIFUL/ˈbjutəfəl/adjHighly enjoyable.
BEETLE/ˈbitəl/adjJutting or overhanging.
BEHAVE/bɪˈheɪv/verbBehave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself.
BEHIND/bɪˈhaɪnd/adjHaving the lower score or lagging position in a contest.
BELLY/ˈbɛli/nounA part that bulges deeply.
BEND/bɛnd/nounA circular segment of a curve.
BEST/bɛst/nounThe supreme effort one can make.
BLOOD/blʌd/nounThe fluid (red in vertebrates) that is pumped through the body by the heart and contains plasma, blood cells, and platelets.
BONE/boʊn/verbStudy intensively, as before an exam.
BOOM/bum/nounA sudden happening that brings good fortune (as a sudden opportunity to make money).
BOOT/but/nounThe swift release of a store of affective force.
BORN/bɔrn/adjBrought into existence.
BOUNCE/baʊns/verbHit something so that it bounces.
BOUNCY/ˈbaʊnsi/adjElastic; rebounds readily.
BREAK/breɪk/nounSome abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity.
BRIDGE/brɪdʒ/nounSomething resembling a bridge in form or function.
BUILD/bɪld/verbBuild or establish something abstract.
BUSY/ˈbɪzi/adjActively or fully engaged or occupied.
BY/baɪ/advIn reserve; not for immediate use.
CARPET/ˈkɑrpət/nounA natural object that resembles or suggests a carpet.
CARRY/ˈkæri/verbMove while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body.
CATCH/kætʃ/nounA drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident.
CHEW/tʃu/verbChew (food); to bite and grind with the teeth.
CHILD/tʃaɪld/nounAn immature childish person.
CHOOSE/tʃuz/verbPick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives.
CIRCLE/ˈsɝkəl/nounEllipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point.
CIRCUS/ˈsɝkəs/nounA travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals.
CLASS/klæs/nounPeople having the same social, economic, or educational status.
CLEAN/klin/adjFree from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits.
CLOUDY/ˈklaʊdi/adjLacking definite form or limits.
COOK/kʊk/verbPrepare a hot meal.
CORNER/ˈkɔrnɚ/nounA place off to the side of an area.
CRISP/krɪsp/adjClearly defined.
CROWN/kraʊn/nounThe Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy.
CUSHION/ˈkʊʃən/verbProtect from impact.
DANCE/dæns/verbMove in a pattern; usually to musical accompaniment; do or perform a dance.
DANGER/ˈdeɪndʒɚ/nounThe condition of being susceptible to harm or injury.
DAUGHTER/ˈdɔtɚ/nounA female human offspring.
DOCTOR/ˈdɑktɚ/nounA licensed medical practitioner.
DRAWING/ˈdrɔɪŋ/nounAn illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper.
DROP/drɑp/nounA small indefinite quantity (especially of a liquid).
EVER/ˈɛvɚ/advAt any time.
EVERY/ˈɛvɚi/adjEach and all of the members of a group considered singly and without exception.
FALL/fɔl/nounThe season when the leaves fall from the trees.
FINISH/ˈfɪnɪʃ/nounA decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance).
FIRST/fɝst/nounThe first or highest in an ordering or series.
FLY/flaɪ/verbTravel through the air; be airborne.
GIANT/ˈdʒaɪənt/nounAn unusually large enterprise.
GOD/ɡɑd/nounA man of such superior qualities that he seems like a deity to other people.
GOOSE/ɡus/verbGive a spurt of fuel to.
GROW/ɡroʊ/verbIncrease in size by natural process.
HALF/hæf/nounOne of two equal parts of a divisible whole.
HEARD/hɝd/adjDetected or perceived by the sense of hearing.
HEART/hɑrt/nounThe locus of feelings and intuitions.
HEAVY/ˈhɛvi/adjOf comparatively great physical weight or density.
HIGH/haɪ/nounA lofty level or position or degree.
HIT/hɪt/nounWhen a batter strikes a pitched ball into fair territory and arrives safely on base (without an error or a fielder's choice being made by the defense).
HOLD/hoʊld/nounThe act of grasping.
HORSE/hɔrs/nounTroops trained to fight on horseback.
HURT/hɝt/verbGive trouble or pain to.
ICE/aɪs/nounWater frozen in the solid state.
ILL/ɪl/adjAffected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function.
JUST/dʒʌst/adjUsed especially of what is legally or ethically right or proper or fitting.
KEY/ki/nounSomething crucial for explaining.
KING/kɪŋ/nounPreeminence in a particular category or group or field.
KNOW/noʊ/nounThe fact of being aware of information that is known to few people.
LAST/læst/nounThe last or lowest in an ordering or series.
LAUGH/læf/nounA facial expression characteristic of a person laughing.
LET/lɛt/verbActively cause something to happen.
LID/lɪd/nounA movable top or cover (hinged or separate) for closing the opening at the top of a box, chest, jar, pan, etc.
LIVE/laɪv/verbLead a certain kind of life; live in a certain style.
LOST/lɔst/adjNo longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered.
LOW/loʊ/nounAn air mass of lower pressure; often brings precipitation.
MAGIC/ˈmædʒɪk/adjPossessing or using or characteristic of or appropriate to supernatural powers.
MANY/ˈmɛni/adjA quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by ‘as’ or ‘too’ or ‘so’ or ‘that’; amounting to a large but indefinite number; quantifier, plural pronoun; quantifier, plural.
MESSY/ˈmɛsi/adjDirty and disorderly.
MIDDLE/ˈmɪdəl/nounAn intermediate part or section.
MINUTE/ˈmɪnət/nounA unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour.
MIRROR/ˈmɪrɚ/nounA faithful depiction or reflection.
MONTH/mʌnθ/nounOne of the twelve divisions of the calendar year.
MOST/moʊst/adjQuantifier meaning the greatest in number.
MUDDY/ˈmʌdi/verbMake turbid.
NASTY/ˈnæsti/adjOffensive or even (of persons) malicious.
NEAR/nɪr/verbMove towards.
NECK/nɛk/nounThe part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body.
NEED/nid/nounA condition requiring relief.
NET/nɛt/adjRemaining after all deductions.
NOISE/nɔɪz/nounSound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound).
NOISY/ˈnɔɪzi/adjFull of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds.
OLD/oʊld/adjOf a very early stage in development.
ONCE/wʌns/advOn one occasion.
OTHER/ˈʌðɚ/adjNot the same one or ones already mentioned or implied; quantifier, other.
OUTDOORS/ˈaʊtˈdɔrz/nounWhere the air is unconfined.
OVER/ˈoʊvɚ/adjHaving come or been brought to a conclusion.
OWN/oʊn/adjBelonging to or on behalf of a specified person (especially yourself); preceded by a possessive.
PAINT/peɪnt/nounA substance used as a coating to protect or decorate a surface (especially a mixture of pigment suspended in a liquid); dries to form a hard coating.
PAPER/ˈpeɪpɚ/verbCover with paper.
PARTY/ˈpɑrti/nounAn organization to gain political power.
PENCIL/ˈpɛnsəl/nounGraphite (or a similar substance) used in such a way as to be a medium of communication.
PEOPLE/ˈpipəl/nounAny group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively.
PERSON/ˈpɝsən/nounA human being; person, singular, assertive existential pronoun; pronoun, person, singular; quantifier: assertive existential.
PICK/pɪk/nounThe person or thing chosen or selected.
PICTURE/ˈpɪktʃɚ/nounA clear and telling mental image.
PIECE/pis/nounA separate part of a whole.
PLANE/pleɪn/nounAn unbounded two-dimensional shape.
PLANT/plænt/nounBuildings for carrying on industrial labor.
PLATE/pleɪt/verbCoat with a layer of metal.
POCKET/ˈpɑkət/nounAn enclosed space.
PULL/pʊl/nounThe act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you.
PUT/pʊt/verbPut into a certain place or abstract location.
QUACK/kwæk/adjMedically unqualified.
QUESTION/ˈkwɛstʃən/nounAn instance of questioning.
QUIET/ˈkwaɪət/nounThe absence of sound.
REST/rɛst/nounSomething left after other parts have been taken away.
RICE/raɪs/verbSieve so that it becomes the consistency of rice.
ROAD/roʊd/nounA way or means to achieve something.
ROCK/rɑk/nounA lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter.
ROUND/raʊnd/advFrom beginning to end; throughout.
SAFE/seɪf/adjFree from danger or the risk of harm.
SAME/seɪm/adjSame in identity.
SAUCE/sɔs/verbAdd zest or flavor to, make more interesting.
SCREAM/skrim/nounA high-pitched noise resembling a human cry.
SCREAMING/sˈkrimɪŋ/nounSharp piercing cry.
SHAPE/ʃeɪp/nounThe spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance.
SHARE/ʃɛr/nounAssets belonging to or due to or contributed by an individual person or group.
SHORT/ʃɔrt/adjPrimarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration.
SHOW/ʃoʊ/nounAn act or social event involving a public performance or entertainment.
SICK/sɪk/nounPeople who are sick.
SILENCE/ˈsaɪləns/nounThe state of being silent (as when no one is speaking).
SILLY/ˈsɪli/nounA word used for misbehaving children.
SKIN/skɪn/nounA natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch.
SOME/sʌm/adjUsed with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity.
SON/sʌn/nounA male human offspring.
SORE/sɔr/adjCausing misery or pain or distress.
SOUP/sup/nounAn unfortunate situation.
SPEAK/spik/verbUse language.
SPECIAL/ˈspɛʃəl/nounA special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising.
SQUARE/skwɛr/nounA plane rectangle with four equal sides and four right angles; a four-sided regular polygon.
START/stɑrt/nounThe beginning of anything.
STAY/steɪ/nounContinuing or remaining in a place or state.
STICK/stɪk/nounAn implement consisting of a length of wood.
STICKY/ˈstɪki/adjMoist as with undried perspiration and with clothing sticking to the body.
STREET/strit/nounA thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings.
STRONG/strɔŋ/adjHaving strength or power greater than average or expected.
SUGAR/ˈʃʊɡɚ/verbSweeten with sugar.
SUMMER/ˈsʌmɚ/nounThe warmest season of the year; in the Northern Hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox.
SUPER/ˈsupɚ/advTo an extreme degree.
SWIM/swɪm/nounThe act of swimming.
TABLE/ˈteɪbəl/nounA piece of furniture having a smooth flat top that is usually supported by one or more vertical legs.
TASTE/teɪst/nounThe sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus.
TEACHER/ˈtitʃɚ/nounA personified abstraction that teaches.
TELEVISION/ˈtɛləˌvɪʒən/nounBroadcasting visual images of stationary or moving objects.
THEN/ðɛn/nounThat time; that moment.
THINK/θɪŋk/nounAn instance of deliberate thinking.
THROW/θroʊ/nounThe act of throwing (propelling something with a rapid movement of the arm and wrist).
TIME/taɪm/nounAn instance or single occasion for some event.
TINY/ˈtaɪni/adjVery small.
TOWEL/ˈtaʊəl/verbWipe with a towel.
TREAT/trit/verbInteract in a certain way.
TRIANGLE/ˈtraɪˌæŋɡəl/nounSomething approximating the shape of a triangle.
TROUBLE/ˈtrʌbəl/nounA source of difficulty.
TRUCK/trʌk/verbConvey (goods etc.) by truck.
TRUE/tru/verbMake level, square, balanced, or concentric.
UMBRELLA/əmˈbrɛlə/nounA formation of military planes maintained over ground operations or targets.
VOICE/vɔɪs/nounThe distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech.
WALK/wɔk/nounManner of walking.
WALL/wɔl/nounAn architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure.
WAVE/weɪv/nounA movement like that of a sudden occurrence or increase in a specified phenomenon.
WEE/wi/adjVery early.
WISH/wɪʃ/nounA specific feeling of desire.
WORLD/wɝld/nounAll of your experiences that determine how things appear to you.
WRONG/rɔŋ/nounThat which is contrary to the principles of justice or law.

183 words. Every meaning comes from Open English WordNet.

Questions

Is this an official state or Common Core word list?

No. This is a Tile Streak vocabulary list built from documented sources to fit early first-grade reading. It is not an official state list, and it is not labeled Common Core aligned.

How many words are on the list?

We're still adding to it, so we don't publish an exact count. It grows over time as we check and add more words.

What does each word show?

How to say it, what part of speech it is, what it means, and a short example sentence, all together in one place.

How does the play this list board work?

It's a game version of the list. The board serves words from the same list shown on this page, so a word your child reads here can show up again when they play.

Is this list too hard or too easy for my child?

The words are chosen to fit where early first-grade reading usually is. If your child needs help with some words and not others, that's completely normal. There's no ranking or comparison built into this page.

Can I print it for home or the classroom?

Yes. The list is plain text and a simple table, so it prints cleanly for a take-home page or a small group handout.