How to spell nuisance
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
nuisance
N-U-I-S-A-N-C-E
The part to watch: ui says "oo", and it ends -ance. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Nuisance has ui, like fruit, making an "oo" sound. It ends -ance, not -ence.
Nuisance is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with an -ant, -ance, -ent or -ence ending. The endings -ant and -ent sound almost the same, and so do -ance and -ence. The only reliable way is to learn which one each word takes.
Common mistakes with nuisance
- Wrong: nusianceRight: nuisance
- Wrong: nuisenceRight: nuisance
- Wrong: nuisanseRight: nuisance
A way to remember it
A nuisance is a pain: n + ui + sance. Think "a nuisance ate my fruit", both with ui.
Nuisance in syllables
nui · sance
Nuisance has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The wasp was a nuisance at our picnic.
Nuisance on the statutory list
Nuisance is on the Year 5 and 6 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 5 and 6, when they are 9 to 11.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with nuisance, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with an -ant, -ance, -ent or -ence ending
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as nuisance.
More words
Questions parents ask
Is it nuisance or nuisence?
Nuisance. It ends -ance, like annoyance.
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