How to spell weight
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
weight
W-E-I-G-H-T
The part to watch: w + eight. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Weight sounds like wait, but the "ay" sound is spelt eigh, as in eight.
Weight is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with the letters ei, eigh or ie. The letters ei, eigh and ie can make several sounds. These words have to be learnt as a group, because the sound does not tell you which letters to use.
Common mistakes with weight
- Wrong: wieghtRight: weight
- Wrong: weigthRight: weight
A way to remember it
Weight is w + eight. Picture a weight with 8 kg written on it.
Weight in syllables
weight
Weight has one syllable, so learn it as a whole word.
In a sentence
The weight of the bag made my arm ache.
Weight on the statutory list
Weight 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 weight, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with the letters ei, eigh or ie
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as weight.
More words
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between weight and wait?
They sound the same. Weight is how heavy something is. Wait means to stay until something happens: "Wait for me!"
Spelling is one part of the picture
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