How to spell medicine
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
medicine
M-E-D-I-C-I-N-E
The part to watch: from medical, so it keeps the c. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
The s sound in medicine is spelt c, because the word is related to medical. People also drop the first i.
Medicine 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 medicine
- Wrong: medecineRight: medicine
- Wrong: medicinRight: medicine
A way to remember it
Medicine is related to medical, and both have "medic" in them.
Medicine in syllables
med · i · cine
Medicine has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it. Often said "med-sin" in the UK. The i in the middle is there even when you do not hear it.
In a sentence
Take your medicine after breakfast.
Medicine on the statutory list
Medicine 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 medicine, 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 medicine.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell medicinal?
Drop the e of medicine before -al: medicinal. The c still says s because an i follows it.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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