How to spell disappear
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
disappear
D-I-S-A-P-P-E-A-R
The part to watch: dis + appear, so one s and two p letters. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Disappear is the prefix dis added to appear. Dis brings one s, and appear brings two p letters.
Disappear is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a smaller word behind it. Each of these words is built from, or related to, a smaller word you may already know. Find the smaller word and most of the spelling follows.
Common mistakes with disappear
- Wrong: dissapearRight: disappear
- Wrong: disapearRight: disappear
- Wrong: dissappearRight: disappear
A way to remember it
Learn appear first. Then just put dis in front without changing anything.
Disappear in syllables
dis · ap · pear
Disappear has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The magician made the coin disappear.
Disappear on the statutory list
Disappear 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 disappear, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a smaller word behind it
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as disappear.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell disappearance?
Disappearance is disappear + ance. It keeps one s and the double p.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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