TTile Streak

What's on this list

Ten letters is a comfortable length for real, everyday words. Every entry on this page is exactly ten letters, checked against a dictionary before it goes on the list, with a meaning attached. The list is not a closed set. We keep adding to it.

Words like basketball, watermelon, strawberry and playground show the pattern: solid, familiar words that happen to land on ten letters, not rare ones picked to be difficult.

How to use the list

Browse the list, or search for a word you already have in mind. Open any entry to see its pronunciation, part of speech, a plain meaning and an example sentence.

Play this list starts a board using only these words. It runs like the standard word game: six guesses, green for the right letter in the right place, yellow for the right letter in the wrong place, gray for a letter that is not in the word.

Tips for ten-letter words

Spot the two words inside one. Ten letters is long enough that many entries are really two shorter words joined, like a sport and a ball, or a fruit and a description. Find the seam and the word splits into two easy pieces.

Count the syllables first. Say the word slowly before you guess. Most ten-letter words run three or four syllables, and matching sound to spelling rules out a lot of wrong guesses fast.

Expect a doubled letter. Long words often repeat a consonant, especially in the middle. A guess that comes back lighter than expected is often explained by a letter you only tried once.

Guess for coverage, not for the win. With this many letters, an early guess that tests several different letters at once teaches you more than a guess that is trying to be the exact answer.

What makes ten letters different

At ten letters, most words are either compounds or one root with a prefix and a suffix attached. That gives you a shortcut a shorter word doesn't: once you spot the smaller word or words hiding inside, the rest is filling in a known shape rather than guessing blind. The challenge shifts from letter by letter guessing to word by word recognition.

For teachers

Ten-letter words sit near the edge of what most students spell confidently, which makes this list useful for stretching a class without overwhelming it.

  • Build a short list. Pick four or five words with their meanings for a handout, rather than

the whole page.

  • Split compounds on purpose. Ask students to find the two smaller words inside a compound

entry and explain each one.

  • Use it for a timed round. A handful of ten-letter words makes a quick spelling or

vocabulary check at the start or end of a lesson.

every student has an entry point.

Keep exploring

Ready for more length? Try eleven-letter words, or step back to nine-letter words for something gentler. The ten-letter word game turns this length into a daily puzzle, and the word finder helps when you know some letters but not the whole word.

The list

WordSay itPart of speechWhat it means
GOVERNMENT/ˈɡʌvɚmənt/nounThe organization that is the governing authority of a political unit.
UNDERSTAND/ˌʌndɚˈstænd/verbKnow and comprehend the nature or meaning of.
EXPERIENCE/ɪkˈspɪriəns/nounThe accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities.
DEPARTMENT/dɪˈpɑrtmənt/nounA specialized division of a large organization.
ESPECIALLY/əˈspɛʃli/advTo a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common.
PRODUCTION/prəˈdʌkʃən/nounThe act or process of producing something.
MANAGEMENT/ˈmænədʒmənt/nounThe act of managing something.
TECHNOLOGY/tɛkˈnɑlədʒi/nounThe application of the knowledge and usage of tools (such as machines or utensils) and techniques to control one's environment.
CONSIDERED/kənˈsɪdɚd/adjCarefully weighed.
POPULATION/ˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən/nounThe people who inhabit a territory or state.
COMPLETELY/kəmˈplitli/advTo a complete degree or to the full or entire extent; Completely or entirely.
INDIVIDUAL/ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒəwəl/adjBeing or characteristic of a single thing or person.
PARTICULAR/pɚˈtɪkjəlɚ/nounA fact about some part (as opposed to general).
ABSOLUTELY/ˌæbsəˈlutli/advCompletely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers.
ADDITIONAL/əˈdɪʃənəl/adjFurther or added.
CONDITIONS/kənˈdɪʃənz/nounThe prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process.
INTERESTED/ˈɪntrəstɪd/adjHaving or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern.
SUCCESSFUL/səkˈsɛsfəl/adjHaving succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome.
AUSTRALIAN/ɔsˈtreɪljən/adjOf or relating to or characteristic of Australia or its inhabitants or its languages.
COMMERCIAL/kəˈmɝʃəl/adjOf the kind or quality used in commerce; average or inferior.
COMMISSION/kəˈmɪʃən/nounA fee for services rendered based on a percentage of an amount received or collected or agreed to be paid (as distinguished from a salary).
PROTECTION/prəˈtɛkʃən/nounThe activity of protecting someone or something.
INVESTMENT/ˌɪnˈvɛstmənt/nounThe commitment of something other than money (time, energy, or effort) to a project with the expectation of some worthwhile result.
PREVIOUSLY/ˈpriviəsli/advAt an earlier time or formerly.
GENERATION/ˌdʒɛnɚˈeɪʃən/nounThe normal time between successive generations.
FOUNDATION/faʊnˈdeɪʃən/nounThe basis on which something is grounded.
APPARENTLY/əˈpɛrəntli/advFrom appearances alone.
TELEVISION/ˈtɛləˌvɪʒən/nounBroadcasting visual images of stationary or moving objects.
IMPOSSIBLE/ˌɪmˈpɑsəbəl/nounSomething that cannot be done.
BACKGROUND/ˈbækˌɡraʊnd/nounA person's social heritage: previous experience or training.
LEADERSHIP/ˈlidɚˌʃɪp/nounThe activity of leading.
CONNECTION/kəˈnɛkʃən/nounA relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it).
APPRECIATE/əˈpriʃiˌeɪt/verbBe fully aware of; realize fully.
DISCOVERED/dɪˈskʌvɚd/adjDiscovered or determined by scientific observation.
DEMOCRATIC/ˌdɛməˈkrætɪk/adjCharacterized by or advocating or based upon the principles of democracy or social equality.
DISCUSSION/dɪˈskʌʃən/nounAn extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic.
INDUSTRIAL/ˌɪnˈdʌstriəl/adjOf or relating to or resulting from industry.
SUPPORTING/səˈpɔrtɪŋ/adjFurnishing support and encouragement.
REPUBLICAN/rɪˈpʌblɪkən/adjHaving the supreme power lying in the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them or characteristic of such government.
HISTORICAL/hɪˈstɔrɪkəl/adjHaving once lived or existed or taken place in the real world as distinct from being legendary.
GIRLFRIEND/ˈɡɝlˌfrɛnd/nounAny female friend.
INCREASING/ˌɪnˈkrisɪŋ/adjBecoming greater or larger.
SCIENTIFIC/ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/adjOf or relating to the practice of science.
EVERYWHERE/ˈɛvriˌwɛr/advTo or in any or all places; pronoun, location; quantifier: universal.
RELATIVELY/ˈrɛlətɪvli/advIn a relative manner; by comparison to something else.
CONFIDENCE/ˈkɑnfədəns/nounFreedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities.
DETERMINED/dɪˈtɝmənd/adjCharacterized by great determination.
IDENTIFIED/aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪd/adjHaving the identity known or established.
INCREDIBLE/ˌɪnˈkrɛdəbəl/adjBeyond belief or understanding.
LITERATURE/ˈlɪtɚətʃɚ/nounPublished writings in a particular style on a particular subject.
ASSISTANCE/əˈsɪstəns/nounThe activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose.
CONTROLLED/kənˈtroʊld/adjRestrained or managed or kept within certain bounds.
REASONABLE/ˈrizənəbəl/adjNot excessive or extreme.
RESOLUTION/ˌrɛzəˈluʃən/nounThe trait of being resolute.
DEFINITION/ˌdɛfəˈnɪʃən/nounClarity of outline.
UNDERSTOOD/ˌʌndɚˈstʊd/adjFully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation.
OPPOSITION/ˌɑpəˈzɪʃən/nounThe major political party opposed to the party in office and prepared to replace it if elected.
PERSONALLY/ˈpɝsənəli/advAs yourself.
ULTIMATELY/ˈʌltəmətli/advAs the end result of a succession or process.
EMPLOYMENT/ɛmˈplɔɪmənt/nounThe state of being employed or having a job.
REVOLUTION/ˌrɛvəˈluʃən/nounA drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving.
ELECTRONIC/ˌɪˌlɛkˈtrɑnɪk/adjOf or relating to electronics; concerned with or using devices that operate on principles governing the behavior of electrons.
EXPRESSION/ɪksˈprɛʃən/nounExpression without words.
RESISTANCE/rɪˈzɪstəns/nounThe action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with.
ATTRACTIVE/əˈtræktɪv/adjPleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm.
CONSTANTLY/ˈkɑnstəntli/advWithout variation or change, in every case.
OFFICIALLY/əˈfɪʃəli/advIn an official role.
RECOGNIZED/ˈrɛkəɡˌnaɪzd/adjGenerally approved or compelling recognition.
REGISTERED/ˈrɛdʒɪstɚd/adjListed or recorded officially.
COMPARISON/kəmˈpɛrəsən/nounThe act of examining resemblances.
CONVENTION/kənˈvɛnʃən/nounSomething regarded as a normative example.
EQUIVALENT/ɪˈkwɪvələnt/nounA person or thing equal to another in value or measure or force or effect or significance etc.
PERMISSION/pɚˈmɪʃən/nounApproval to do something.
PHILOSOPHY/fəˈlɑsəfi/nounAny personal belief about how to live or how to deal with a situation.
CONSISTENT/kənˈsɪstənt/adjIn agreement or consistent or reliable.
CONTINUING/kənˈtɪnjuɪŋ/adjRemaining in force or being carried on without letup.
REGARDLESS/rəˈɡɑrdləs/adjWithout due thought or consideration.
IMPRESSIVE/ˌɪmˈprɛsɪv/adjProducing a strong effect.
MEMBERSHIP/ˈmɛmbɚˌʃɪp/nounThe body of members of an organization or group.
REPUTATION/ˌrɛpjəˈteɪʃən/nounNotoriety for some particular characteristic.
ASSESSMENT/əˈsɛsmənt/nounAn amount determined as payable.
ATMOSPHERE/ˈætməsˌfɪr/nounA particular environment or surrounding influence.
PROCESSING/ˈprɑsɛsɪŋ/nounPreparing or putting through a prescribed procedure.
RIDICULOUS/rɪˈdɪkjələs/adjSo unreasonable as to invite derision.
TRANSITION/trænˈzɪʃən/verbCause to convert or undergo a transition.
COMMITMENT/kəˈmɪtmənt/nounThe trait of sincere and steadfast fixity of purpose.
ELECTRICAL/ɪˈlɛktrɪkəl/adjRelating to or concerned with electricity.
CONCLUSION/kənˈkluʒən/nounA position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration.
SUBSEQUENT/ˈsʌbsəkwənt/adjFollowing in time or order.
EFFICIENCY/ɪˈfɪʃənsi/nounSkillfulness in avoiding wasted time and effort.
ENTERPRISE/ˈɛntɚˌpraɪz/nounA purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness).
EXPERIMENT/ɪkˈspɛrəmənt/nounThe testing of an idea.
INCREDIBLY/ˌɪnˈkrɛdəbli/advNot easy to believe.
REGULATION/ˌrɛɡjəˈleɪʃən/nounA principle or condition that customarily governs behavior.
EXHIBITION/ˌɛksəˈbɪʃən/nounThe act of exhibiting.
INITIATIVE/ˌɪˈnɪʃətɪv/adjServing to set in motion.
SURROUNDED/sɚˈaʊndɪd/adjConfined on all sides.
THREATENED/ˈθrɛtənd/adjLikely in the near future to become endangered.
AMBASSADOR/æmˈbæsədɚ/nounAn informal representative.
IMPRESSION/ˌɪmˈprɛʃən/nounA vague idea in which some confidence is placed.
MONITORING/ˈmɑnətɚɪŋ/nounThe act of observing something (and sometimes keeping a record of it).
DIFFICULTY/ˈdɪfəkəlti/nounAn effort that is inconvenient.
ELEMENTARY/ˌɛləˈmɛntri/adjEasy and not involved or complicated.
MECHANICAL/məˈkænɪkəl/adjUsing (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices.
STRUGGLING/sˈtrʌɡəlɪŋ/adjEngaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity.
AGGRESSIVE/əˈɡrɛsɪv/adjHaving or showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends.
SUFFICIENT/səˈfɪʃənt/adjOf a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant.
BIOLOGICAL/ˌbaɪəˈlɑdʒɪkəl/adjRelated by blood; genetically related.
ENGAGEMENT/ɛnˈɡeɪdʒmənt/nounA hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war.
LABORATORY/ˈlæbrəˌtɔri/nounA region resembling a laboratory inasmuch as it offers opportunities for observation and practice and experimentation.
COLLECTIVE/kəˈlɛktɪv/adjDone by or characteristic of individuals acting together.
PHYSICALLY/ˈfɪzɪkəli/advIn accord with physical laws.
PROTECTING/prəˈtɛktɪŋ/adjShielding (or designed to shield) against harm or discomfort.
ACCOUNTING/əˈkaʊntɪŋ/nounA convincing explanation that reveals basic causes.
INTEGRATED/ˈɪntəˌɡreɪtəd/adjFormed into a whole or introduced into another entity.
REMARKABLE/rɪˈmɑrkəbəl/adjUnusual or striking.
PREVENTION/priˈvɛnʃən/nounThe act of preventing.
SURPRISING/sɚˈpraɪzɪŋ/adjCausing surprise or wonder or amazement.
ACCEPTABLE/ækˈsɛptəbəl/adjWorthy of acceptance or satisfactory.
CLASSIFIED/ˈklæsəˌfaɪd/adjOfficial classification of information or documents; withheld from general circulation.
INSTRUMENT/ˈɪnstrəmənt/nounThe means whereby some act is accomplished.
MAINSTREAM/ˈmeɪnsˌtrim/nounThe prevailing current of thought.
ARTIFICIAL/ˌɑrtəˈfɪʃəl/adjArtificially formal.
CELEBRATED/ˈsɛləˌbreɪtɪd/adjWidely known and esteemed.
FUNCTIONAL/ˈfʌŋkʃənəl/adjDesigned for or capable of a particular function or use.
POPULARITY/ˌpɑpjəˈlɛrəti/nounThe quality of being widely admired or accepted or sought after.
DISCIPLINE/ˈdɪsəplən/nounA branch of knowledge.
DISGUSTING/dɪsˈɡʌstɪŋ/adjHighly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust.
PHOTOGRAPH/ˈfoʊtəˌɡræf/verbUndergo being photographed in a certain way.
REGULATORY/ˈrɛɡjələˌtɔri/adjRestricting according to rules or principles.
SUGGESTION/səˈdʒɛstʃən/nounAn idea that is suggested.
UNEXPECTED/ˌʌnɪkˈspɛktɪd/adjNot expected or anticipated.
LEGITIMATE/ləˈdʒɪtəmət/adjIn accordance with recognized or accepted standards or principles.
MOTIVATION/ˌmoʊtəˈveɪʃən/nounThe psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior.
PRODUCTIVE/prəˈdʌktɪv/adjProducing or capable of producing (especially abundantly).
CONTINUOUS/kənˈtɪnjuəs/adjContinuing in time or space without interruption.
DISABILITY/ˌdɪsəˈbɪlɪti/nounThe condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness.
VULNERABLE/ˈvʌlnɚəbəl/adjSusceptible to criticism or persuasion or temptation.
OCCUPATION/ˌɑkjəˈpeɪʃən/nounAny activity that occupies a person's attention.
EXCITEMENT/ɪkˈsaɪtmənt/nounThe feeling of lively and cheerful joy.
RESPECTIVE/rɪˈspɛktɪv/adjConsidered individually.
RESTRICTED/risˈtrɪktəd/adjSubject to restriction or subjected to restriction.
WIDESPREAD/ˈwaɪdsˈprɛd/adjWidely circulated or diffused.
ACCESSIBLE/ækˈsɛsəbəl/adjCapable of being reached.
ASSIGNMENT/əˈsaɪnmənt/nounThe act of distributing something to designated places or persons.
PERCEPTION/pɚˈsɛpʃən/nounA way of conceiving something.
STRUCTURAL/sˈtrʌktʃɚəl/adjRelating to or caused by structure, especially political or economic structure.
ATTENDANCE/əˈtɛndəns/nounThe frequency with which a person is present.
MYSTERIOUS/mɪˈstɪriəs/adjOf an obscure nature.
REFLECTION/rɪˈflɛkʃən/nounExpression without words.
SUBSTITUTE/ˈsʌbstəˌtut/verbPut in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items.
UNDERLYING/ˌʌndɚˈlaɪɪŋ/adjIn the nature of something though not readily apparent.
ACCEPTANCE/ækˈsɛptəns/nounThe mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true.
INDIGENOUS/ˌɪnˈdɪdʒənəs/adjOriginating where it is found.
PRESIDENCY/ˈprɛzədənsi/nounThe office and function of president.
COMPROMISE/ˈkɑmprəˌmaɪz/nounAn accommodation in which both sides make concessions.
CONVENIENT/kənˈvinjənt/adjSuited to your comfort or purpose or needs.
EARTHQUAKE/ˈɝθˌkweɪk/nounA disturbance that is extremely disruptive.
CONVICTION/kənˈvɪkʃən/nounA final judgment of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed.
INSPECTION/ˌɪnˈspɛkʃən/nounA formal or official examination.
INVITATION/ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/nounA request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something.
MEANINGFUL/ˈminɪŋfəl/adjHaving a meaning or purpose.
ACCORDANCE/əˈkɔrdəns/nounThe act of granting rights.
APPLICABLE/ˈæpləkəbəl/adjCapable of being applied; having relevance.
CONTROLLER/kənˈtroʊlɚ/nounA mechanism that controls the operation of a machine.
PROFESSION/prəˈfɛʃən/nounThe body of people in a learned occupation.
PROTECTIVE/prəˈtɛktɪv/adjIntended or adapted to afford protection of some kind.
REPORTEDLY/rɪˈpɔrtədli/advAccording to reports or other information.
SEPARATION/ˌsɛpɚˈeɪʃən/nounThe distance between things.
AUTHORIZED/ˈɔθɚˌaɪzd/adjEndowed with authority.
OCCASIONAL/əˈkeɪʒənəl/adjOccurring from time to time.
ATTRACTION/əˈtrækʃən/nounThe quality of arousing interest; being attractive or something that attracts.
BANKRUPTCY/ˈbæŋkrəpsi/nounInability to discharge all your debts as they come due.
DIPLOMATIC/ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk/adjUsing or marked by tact in dealing with sensitive matters or people.
PREFERENCE/ˈprɛfɚəns/nounA strong liking.
CALCULATED/ˈkælkjəˌleɪtɪd/adjCarefully thought out in advance.
INNOVATIVE/ˈɪnəˌveɪtɪv/adjAhead of the times.
GOVERNANCE/ˈɡʌvɚnəns/nounThe persons (or committees or departments etc.) who make up a body for the purpose of administering something.
SUSPICIOUS/səˈspɪʃəs/adjNot as expected.
THOROUGHLY/ˈθɝoʊli/advIn an exhaustive manner.
BENEFICIAL/ˌbɛnəˈfɪʃəl/adjPromoting or enhancing well-being.
FRUSTRATED/ˈfrʌsˌtreɪtəd/adjDisappointingly unsuccessful.
INEVITABLE/ˌɪˈnɛvətəbəl/nounAn unavoidable event.
PROVINCIAL/prəˈvɪnʃəl/adjCharacteristic of the provinces or their people.
UNDERNEATH/ˌʌndɚˈniθ/advOn the lower or downward side; on the underside of.
ALTOGETHER/ˌɔltəˈɡɛðɚ/advTo a complete degree or to the full or entire extent; Completely or entirely.
ASSUMPTION/əˈsʌmpʃən/nounA statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn.
CAPABILITY/ˌkeɪpəˈbɪləti/nounThe quality of being capable , physically or intellectually or legally.
CONDUCTING/kənˈdʌktɪŋ/nounThe direction of an orchestra or choir.
EXCELLENCE/ˈɛksələns/nounAn outstanding feature; something in which something or someone excels.
NATIONWIDE/ˈneɪʃənˈwaɪd/adjOccurring or extending throughout a country or nation.
NOMINATION/ˌnɑməˈneɪʃən/nounThe act of officially naming a candidate.
OBLIGATION/ˌɑbləˈɡeɪʃən/nounThe social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force.
SUBMISSION/səbˈmɪʃən/nounSomething (manuscripts or architectural plans and models or estimates or works of art of all genres etc.) submitted for the judgment of others (as in a competition).
TREMENDOUS/trəˈmɛndəs/adjExtraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree.
INDICATION/ˌɪndəˈkeɪʃən/nounSomething that serves to indicate or suggest.
PRESUMABLY/prəˈzuməbli/advBy reasonable assumption.
PRETENDING/priˈtɛndɪŋ/nounThe act of giving a false appearance.
PRONOUNCED/prəˈnaʊnst/adjStrongly marked; easily noticeable.
PURCHASING/ˈpɝtʃəsɪŋ/nounThe act of buying.

Showing 200 of 371 words. Every meaning comes from Open English WordNet.

Questions

What does each entry on the list show?

Every word lists its pronunciation, its part of speech, a plain meaning and an example sentence. Open a word to see the full entry.

Can I play a game with just these words?

Yes. Play this list deals guesses only from ten-letter words on this page, with the same green, yellow and gray colors as the daily word game.

Is this every ten-letter word?

No. It is a working list we keep adding to, and every word is checked against a dictionary before it is added.

Why are some common words missing?

Plurals, proper nouns and words that could be unkind or confusing out of context are left off, even when they are common.

Are ten-letter words harder to spell than shorter ones?

Often, yes. Ten letters usually means two shorter words joined together or one root carrying both a prefix and a suffix, and either one adds a place to slip up.

Can this list be used for a spelling test?

Yes. Pick a handful of words from the list for a custom spelling round, or print the page for an offline test.