How to spell eight
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
eight
E-I-G-H-T
The part to watch: eigh says "ay". The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
You hear "ate", but the "ay" sound is spelt eigh. The gh is silent.
Eight is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with the letters ei, eigh or ie. The letters ei, eigh and ie can make several sounds. These words have to be learnt as a group, because the sound does not tell you which letters to use.
Common mistakes with eight
- Wrong: eigtRight: eight
A way to remember it
Eight has the same eigh as weight, sleigh and neighbour.
Eight in syllables
eight
Eight has one syllable, so learn it as a whole word.
In a sentence
A spider has eight legs.
Eight on the statutory list
Eight is on the Year 3 and 4 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England, printed there as eight/eighth. Children are taught these words in Years 3 and 4, when they are 7 to 9.
From the same entry
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with eight, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with the letters ei, eigh or ie
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as eight.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell eighteen and eighty?
Eighteen is eight + een, with one t. Eighty is eight + y. Both keep the eigh.
What is the difference between eight and ate?
They sound the same. Eight is the number 8. Ate is the past of eat: "I ate my lunch."
Spelling is one part of the picture
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