2 Syllable Words | The Ultimate Word List (2024)

If your child is doing really well beginning to read, it may be time to move along to 2 syllable words.

Let’s take a look at what syllables are and some common two syllable word lists!

What is a syllable?

A syllable is a single vowel sound, pronounced as a unit as a word itself or as part of a word. Sometimes it can be called a “word chunk” or a “beat”.

Typically early readers will learn single syllable word families and once those have been mastered they are ready to move onto 2 syllable words.

How do you identify two syllable words?

A two syllable word is a word that when spoken has two specific sounds or beats to them. Perhaps when you were younger your teacher had you clap out the syllables.

For each vowel sound (read: not number of vowels) is the number of syllables in the word.

Example:

A one syllable word: Bat

A two syllable word: But-ter

A three syllable sound: Ba-na-na

What is the longest 2-syllable word?

In the English language there are many long 2 syllable words. Here are a few of them:

• Breaststroke
• Outstretched
• Strengthened
• Breakthrough

Open vs Closed Syllable Words

An open syllable ends in a vowel and almost always has a long vowel sound.

Example of open syllable words:

• Pa-per
• Ba-con
• Be-gin
• Ti-dy
• Pi-lot

In a closed syllable, the vowels are typically surrounded by consonants and tend to have short vowel sounds.

Examples of closed syllable words:

• Bas-ket
• Hel-met
• Muf-fin
• Bet-ter
• Hap-py

2 Syllable Words for Kindergarten

2 Syllable Words with Long Vowels

2 Syllable Words Ending in -y

2 syllable words ending in -ing

2 syllable words that end in -er