How to spell famous
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
famous
F-A-M-O-U-S
The part to watch: it ends -ous. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
The end sounds like "us", but describing words like this end -ous.
Famous is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with the -ous ending. The ending that sounds like "us" at the end of a describing word is spelt -ous. It is never -us or -ouse.
Common mistakes with famous
- Wrong: famusRight: famous
- Wrong: famosRight: famous
A way to remember it
Famous people are known by "o u s": oh, you superstar!
Famous in syllables
fa · mous
Famous has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The famous singer waved to the crowd.
Famous on the statutory list
Famous 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 famous, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with the -ous ending
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as famous.
More words
Questions parents ask
How is famous related to fame?
Famous means having fame. Both start f-a-m, but famous has no e before its -ous ending.
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