How to spell centre
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
centre
C-E-N-T-R-E
The part to watch: a soft c, and it ends -re in British English. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
The c says s because it is followed by e. In British English the end is spelt -re, even though you hear "ter". Center, with -er, is the American spelling.
Centre is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a soft c. The letter c says s when it comes before e, i or y, as in centre, circle and bicycle. Before a, o, u or another consonant it says k.
A way to remember it
Centre ends -re, like theatre and metre.
Centre in syllables
cen · tre
Centre has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The fountain is in the centre of the town.
Centre on the statutory list
Centre is on the Year 3 and 4 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 3 and 4, when they are 7 to 9.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with centre, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a soft c
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as centre.
More words
Questions parents ask
Is it centre or center?
In the UK it is centre. Center is the American spelling. Schools in England teach centre, and it is the spelling on the Year 3 and 4 list.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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