How to spell soldier
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
soldier
S-O-L-D-I-E-R
The part to watch: di says "j", then ie. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
The middle of soldier sounds like "j", but it is spelt di, followed by ier.
Soldier is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with no single spelling rule. These words follow no single rule. Look, say, cover, write and check them a few times a week until they stick.
Common mistakes with soldier
- Wrong: soldeirRight: soldier
- Wrong: soljerRight: soldier
A way to remember it
Soldier ends -ier, like pier and frontier. Say "sol-dee-er" in your spelling voice so you hear the i.
Soldier in syllables
sol · dier
Soldier has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
The toy soldier stood guard by the castle.
Soldier on the statutory list
Soldier 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 soldier, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words to learn by heart
Other words on the Year 5 and 6 list to learn by heart.
More words
Questions parents ask
Is it soldier or soldeir?
Soldier. It ends i, e, r, as pier and frontier do.
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.