How to spell February
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
February
F-E-B-R-U-A-R-Y
The part to watch: a capital F, and an r after the b. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Most people say "Feb-yoo-ree", so the r after the b disappears. It is also the name of a month, so it always starts with a capital letter.
February is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a letter you hardly hear. When we speak quickly, a letter or a whole beat gets swallowed. Say the word slowly, the way it is spelt, so every letter has a sound.
Common mistakes with February
- Wrong: FebuaryRight: February
- Wrong: FebraryRight: February
A way to remember it
Say the r: Feb-ru-ar-y. Think "brr, it is cold in February" to remember the r after the b.
February in syllables
Feb · ru · ar · y
February has 4 syllables. Say each one as you write it. Often said "Feb-yoo-ree", which hides the first r. Say "Feb-roo-ary" to spell it.
In a sentence
My birthday is in February.
February on the statutory list
February 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 February, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a letter you hardly hear
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as February.
More words
Questions parents ask
Does February always need a capital letter?
Yes. February is the name of a month, and every month and every day of the week starts with a capital letter.
Spelling is one part of the picture
The free diagnostic checks maths, English and both kinds of reasoning, and shows what to practise next. No card is required.