2020

GREETINGS, CHAMPIONS!

About this Study Guide

Do you dream of winning a school spelling bee, or even attending the Scripps National Spelling Bee?
Words of the Champions is the official study resource of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, so
you’ve found the perfect place to start. Prepare for a 2019 or 2020 classroom, grade-level, school,
district, county, regional or state spelling bee with this list of 4,000 words.

All words in this book have been selected by the Scripps National Spelling Bee from our official
dictionary, Merriam- Webster Unabridged (http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com).

Words of the Champions is divided into three difficulty levels, ranked One Bee (800 words), Two Bee
(2,100 words) and Three Bee (1,200 words). These are great words to challenge you, whether you’re
just getting started in spelling bees or of if you’ve already participated in several. At the beginning of
each level, you’ll find the School Spelling Bee Study List words. For any classroom, grade-level or
school spelling bee, study the 125-word One Bee School Spelling Bee Study List, the 225-word Two
Bee School Spelling Bee Study List and the 100-word Three Bee School Spelling Bee Study
List: a total of 450 words.

Following the School Spelling Bee Study List in each level, you’ll find pages marked “Words of the
Champions.” Are you a school spelling bee champion or a speller advancing to compete beyond the
school level? Study these pages to make sure you’re prepared to do your best when these words are
asked in the early rounds of competition. And remember, although spelling bees will start with words
from this guide, they often end with words you haven’t studied.

Each year, the Scripps National Spelling Bee will release a new version of Words of the Champions featuring 800
new
words, including an all-new School Spelling Bee Study List.

Your spelling bee journey starts now, and taking the first step toward becoming a star athlete of the English language
makes you a Champion. These Words are for you.

About the Scripps National Spelling Bee

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the nation’s largest and longest-running educational program. The
purpose of the Scripps National Spelling Bee is to help students improve their spelling, increase their
vocabularies, learn concepts and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives. Visit
spellingbee.com for more information about the Bee and to check if your school is enrolled. The
Scripps National Spelling Bee is administered on a not-for-profit basis by The E.W. Scripps Company.
DIFFICULTY
LEVEL
ONE BEE

1
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: ONE BEE
School Spelling Bee Study List

punting seal ash filters beeswax holler

crowd twirled flame cone social billboar
d
secret admit grits never behold chicken
fumble grown-ups cliff silly mix puppet
s
pond pieces hem Monday drool waited
health brass candles grub understand finish
pardon onshore brim hook sound cheer
shake stunts plot number benches twisty
kiddo deny desk cooking shrugged chips
proof jolly bobcat amazed still scoop
gorp powder polo collect pranks rover
town walnut roller local smiled forgive
bingo sawdust stark proper peach ribbon
clever flustered drum basement pie shoo
inside barber snarl ripple size greedy
reply chimes argue feats hall beam
frozen cabin loppers plumbing jangled crew
special faint petal stubborn chain crate
film manger giant adrift workhorse hotel
results peppermint sniffle sweeten antennas stray
soda broth mouth neon honest

Great Words, Great Works Reading Program

Each year, the Scripps National Spelling Bee publishes its School Spelling Bee Study List to help students prepare for
classroom and school-level spelling bees. These words come from a list of books carefully selected by the Bee’s

2
editorial team. That list of books is called Great Words, Great Works. Find it at spellingbee.com/book-list.

3
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: ONE
BEE
Words of the Champions
gradual bedlam gargantua gimmick monopoliz target
ferocious shortfall n salsa flannel e water angora
frequentl cowlick chaotic cucumbe marathon snippet
y opinionate shrimp r omission ascribe
permissio d slogan mandate McMansi newbie hodgepodg
n towel triumpha turret on janitor spreadshee e
sundae nt pigeon lionize t badger verbiage
ornamen parenthe satellite headdres fortificatio nephew
t rooster tic parasite s n hydra imbibe
scold listener favorite fragrance grouse savvy
organza guardian OR pear manta reckon
fragile dwindled *favourite system astonish boorish
galaxy fraught cascade pedigree fashionist tarmac
complain sturdy dandelion empty a stubble iteration
t curries treadmill famous amulet genius nurture
tennis originate pristine guess nuance volcano
grumblin forfend magician stencil forensics
golden
g garlic OR carrot penguin miraculou
modesty
hula forefend amphibia meteor freckle s trendy
reactionar eavesdrop n distraugh blooper permafro
y January jealousy t freight misconceptio st iceberg
muscular scruple remedial honeybe n lambkin cactus
drizzle moxie vouch e blemish chowder nationalis
accurate winnow trivia crumpet sunflower m leeway
studio incentive shoulder blizzard lambasted pilferer
illusionist admirer zebra squirm volumetric rollicking
genetic emotional butterscot harmoniou flattery quart
levity chia ch apron s lawyer simmer lactose
moisture raspberry beagle valiant whisk domineeri
toughnes bogus kidney purse bathtub ng onion
s recoup wistful raisin fantastically abandon
tasteless bookworm raven trumpet failure jamboree
astute veteran fructose bias tolerable junior
turtle erase Amazon lettuce mosquito hamlet
Pinkerton handcuffs companio shamroc jubilant
fortune spinal n k
sluggard demolition panoram America
a na

In Good Company
*chiefly British
spelling
4
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: ONE
BEE
Words of the Champions
When it comes to spelling bee participants, the more the merrier! In fact, more than 11 million spellers participate in
qualifying spelling bees throughout the country and around the world.

*chiefly British
spelling
5
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: ONE
BEE
Words of the Champions
thawed mince puzzles dollars deodoran skeleton
uncle bubbly scumble hospitalit t dojo weaknes
dawdle graham extinct y conducto s priority
mogul headlon jersey necklace r third
troll g timber trapezoid explanati garment ovation
kindred medallio dillydally on ladybug sonar
tantrum n haggle thimblerig bebop beverag
science maximu sword landmark nuisance e stench
cement m clover mastiff peerless saga yarn
venomo casino cooperate flute lookout hubbub
us distinctiv merchandis skateboar blouse premium
plaintiff e mister e gauntlet d relish sinus
mayhe warning apology manifesto propagand trait
m useful carnival imitative a foxes swallow
thicket difficult buffooner famished ragamuffi recyclabl
gymnastic mischief y ecotouris n e turnip
s island talent intellectua m cancel ingredien tirade
peacenik kiwi l tickled flooey t materiali
ounce publish domino ginger generosit ze
memorandu mutter ignite lifetime y winsome
m bother sedentar legacy integrity religious trencher
missile y divine splurge arcade timidly compilatio
munchkin lexicon neigh manufactu bargain n
banana bristle cabbage re around dandruff
furnace daresay erode bellyache wan widget
foothills owlishly formalize keyhole faculty goblet
tongue criminal OR seldom spelunk gander
caterpillar recipient *formalise impostor er slipshod
wasp strong anyway OR major pencil
kudos canteen isolation imposter methodolo granola
alpha aviation measly glimpse gy weevil monarch
shebang lucky apprehensiv magnate innermost jargon
tibia rocket e zither hangnail aromathera incendiar
hazelnut reflect whiff novelist py y velcro
votive scent organic sourly peekaboo award
lantern mugwump serpentine beckon parsley
taco rhinestone
melodramat mundane
ic sirloin magnificen
t flexible
*chiefly British
spelling
6
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: ONE
BEE
Words of the Champions

Cruising the Airwaves

The first broadcast of the Bee wasn’t on television — it was on radio! It wasn’t until 1946 that it was first televised.
ESPN started airing the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 1994.

*chiefly British
spelling
7
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: ONE
BEE
Words of the Champions
rascal quack amigo holiday porridge myself
ravine spider bestow indigo eyelet marine
perplex weathe gung forage yeti cloudy
qualitativ r ho tooth groove cricket
e sticky twinge umbrell dauntlessl estimate motto
hamstrin poncho a y faucet cattail torch
g hooliga syntheti scheme paraphras pamper
vacuum n c cough e pleasant
reliable decade cloying straw heartthro robin
snore forbidde olive hooves b cheek historica
ladle n truth shadow daughter l rules
surefire jumbo balderdas meeknes laser geometri
enchantme mortal h s squall invoke c villa
nt apple bugabo infringe OR upshot midriff
mellow o interlope squawl climate teaspoo
nacho standar r routine omen yankee n
problem d yearn privacy militant dim sum worrywar
acorn primatologis decision civics moose t
cutlery t voluntary farfetche locker cuckoo develop
ambitious furious d linen jabberwock dilemma er
monument wombat piratical y outrageou shopaholi
al basilisk marginaliz pigsty detention s silver c magma
lamentabl e swipe misery sparkle fedora briefcase
e brilliant eternity months calico wildcat deputy
competitiv imagery guffaw theme monstrosi mangrov
e lounge pastel caravan literacy ty sofa e
supper twice culinary loathe eggplant enfranchis
explosive megaher boycott kosher e kiln
axle
cajole tz gnash calzone minority webisode
glimmer
bauble knuckle bawl default kangaroo
vacation
happenstanc bribery circle napkin heroic Romeo
e tussle glucose respect overrun bombard emerge
inched mower introverte yellowfin furtive twitchy
dimension campus d fuddy- clodhoppe journal arrogant
ugliness infant duddy r crayon tulip normativ
thunderbo pulley bakery e
lt Kodiak homewor
despicab misinterpr k mildew
le elderly et twee pattern

8
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: ONE
BEE
Words of the Champions
The 93rd Scripps National Spelling Bee
Mark your calendar! The Scripps National Spelling Bee will take place from May 24-29, 2020, at the Gaylord National
Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland, near Washington, D.C.

9
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: ONE
BEE
Words of the Champions
coffee envoy dough nourish knack
botch postpone emperor vulpine satisfactor migraine
receptacl wafer utterable aloha y oasis
e software leniency entrance barefoot navigator
bagpipe factoid frivolous kindergart trope humane
bonfire marvelous potato en knock polenta
abruptly OR wholehearte restauran whittl delicacy
bushel marvellous d t e noggin
skedaddl evince metadata functionar joyful backgroun
e toddler season farewell y dodge genuin d thistle
everglade horizon hypnotic iota e
s pellet arborio jewel gelato reclus
klutz cartoon tangible hankerin e
g shield
esteem tiger
romain
e

1
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: ONE
BEE
Words of the Champions
A Big Time Spellebrity
If you’ve watched the Bee on ESPN, you’ve probably seen his face. You’ve definitely heard his voice. We’re talking
about the official pronouncer of the Bee, Dr. Jacques Bailly. He won the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 1980 and
took up the role of pronouncer in 2003.

1
DIFFICULTY
LEVEL
TWO BEE

1
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
School Spelling Bee Study List
gallop s
luggage pulse utensil wily rookie
dinosaur disturbance
ramparts cottage s depot transparencies
brought
vinyl garland inciden hazmat
ancient
anemomete gnaw t Antarctic
earthquak
rs dainty comfort bramble perfume
e tapestry
buckle caroling s plaiting writers
delivery
vividly OR trifecta series audience
attagirl
briny carolling shingle insubstantial
salamande
paveme foolishness mason staggered
rs
nt constellation avoid assistance
disembar
garnet sundering static sanitized
k usual
furrow juncture sample diminished
challenge
sprawl exploits s organist
cahoots
museu rabble- moder operator
oozing
m wren rouser n chalk Louisiana
Mars
legend profound concentrat perpetual
pelican
transist wreath e proud blustery molars
drastic
or profile expiratio arrange
yoga
amplify untoward n dissolved
burlap
security memorial batteries extremely
blazer
refrain industrial centuries plastic
trombon
tactics barrier differed multiplication
e
shepher gratingly fearsome middle
tremblin
d Angus brayed fiercest reasonable
g
mulish Harlem residence closet
calmed
rivalry messenger abated investigation
police
siblings beacons scatterin accident
certain
chestnu generation g toppled discussion
barograp
t coverage vane confused
h
minivan deters vortices microwave
charred
plaid Nepal turbulent
Pakistan
tissue disinfecta obstacles
pressure
scoundr nt continent
surmise
el campaig al
d teak
amino n deportme
transit
mentho starvatio nt
cannonade
l n gamma exhibits
appetite
Tabasc spleen agricultur
o al
obvious momentou
1
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
School Spelling Bee Study List
g o rema d pabl shuffle
a m rkabl g e carpenter
b b e e gad pruners
l e joist th gets parcel
e r s ro cha squawk
d O scra ttl nnel Sheetrock
R mbli e chis trowel
s som ng p el nervous
e bre insp er chi spirit
t tam ecto fe mne equator
t pere r ct y evidence
l d distr io min solar
e loy esse n now explore
al d c dom
s smu a ain

Our Purpose
The purpose of the Bee is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts and
develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives.

1
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
School Spelling Bee Study List
distanc
tarry mutate confectio
e fault
entity commonpla n
colonist
archiv ce autograp
s
es gingerbrea hs
prudenc
commoti d hunky- withers
e
on dory petite
assembl
vacancy dispute station
y
beatboxin episode
sheriff
g

Eight Times the Fun

In 2019, eight spellers made Bee history and inspired a neologism: “Octochamps!” At about midnight on the night of
1
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
School Spelling Bee Study List
the Finals, the dictionary admitted defeat to what the Bee declared “the most phenomenal assemblage of spellers in
the history of this storied competition.” Rishik Gandhasri, Erin Howard, Saketh Sundar, Shruthika Padhy, Sohum
Sukhatankar, Abhijay Kodali, Christopher Serrao and Rohan Raja ended the 2019 Bee in an eight-way tie.

1
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
hexagonal mimetic kind filial
unabated banal fondant cupola
litmus wearisom
petrifying seismologi herbaceous
seethe e visage
specimen st tentativeness
antiquaria fascinator
interlocutor spectacles pachinko
n testimon
machete innovator decrepitude
phalanges y
dulcet bursary redux
bacheloret beaucoup
salubrious hallowed dramaturgy
te frontier
rotisserie apogee murmuration
unctuous
**paneer hiatus Clydesdale
fluoride
OR freesia phonics
moorage
panir exoneratio calisthenics
Minotaur
omnibus n duvet obediential
intermezz
biscotti turpitude odiferous
o
calibrate platitude combination
edification
appellatio nobiliary torrent arsenic
vacuousne
n commerce invertebrate
ss
duodenu keratitis **bandanna OR
epilepsy
m honorific bandana
importuna
valorous kookaburr manipulable
te
isotopic a napoleon axiomatic
recuperati
carpal superlative indefatigable
on
quizzic oxygenate ulterior oligarchy
citronella
al annihilate pianola dignify
palliative
heliotro sarcophagu allegiance
abhorrenc
pe s basaltic scorpion
e
squand surrogate planetarium
personnel
er terabyte ecstatic
vexatious
prenup uncouth cinnamon
faux
tial onerous pharaoh
sophisticate
succule macrocos
d nebulous
nt m bulbous
genus
bedrag umpirage
legionnaire
gled heredity
sternutatio
rectitu philharmoni
n
de c
subcutaneo
uraniu endorphin
us alacrity
m pharmacy
choreograph
inundat
er
e
leguminous
wunder
ceramics
17
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
opponency contusion n co incoherent
pri
referendu mulligan sop ntr tercentena
mi
m quaver sabermetrics hom ari ry
tiv
rabbinic elocution oric wi vituperativ
e
lapel dowager laur se e churlish
fa
mackerel comparison eate pe riviera
bu
callow diaphanous Goli tro laconic
lis
biscuit agoraphobi ath leu excision
t
flourish a buffet sple m emblazon
co
beatific tortoise neti re ed bric-a-
m
repository surmountable c gal brac
po
dissipate endure lega ia longitude
rt
accomplice bonobo to inc maverick
m
kerchief abrogate slov ine retrograde
en
whimsical effusive enly rat partridge
t
stamina aero e insignia
ta
criteria bics fla binomial
cit
reprieve paisl go luminance
ur
consequent ey n adjective

Who Knew?
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the nation’s largest and longest-running educational program.

**preferred spelling

18
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
elucidate resuscitate eucalyptu
myoglobi approbato macular simpatico
spatula s
n frugal ry adhesion rennet
triglycerid rambunctio
achromati catalepsy pinnacle avalanche
es stalwart us
c miscible labyrinthin cadge exodus
bumptious ingenuou
soprano e philosophize
farcical s
cutis notoriety Requiem glitterati
ghastly phonetici
hyrax subterrane transference uveal
parkour an
truncheo an candelabrum
fealty
n aubergine vacillate phenotype
perilous
educand jalapeño transposable
steroid
Realtor attributive thrasonical
gullibility
billabong plutonomy trepanation
tarantula
bariatrics lobotomy Holstein quadrillion
cantankero
throughou assumptio tardigrade varsity
us vitriolic
t n scholarship filbert
crinoline
propulsio entrepren Galahad jadeite
debris
n eur peripheral elevator
armament
assailant besieged chaperonage frittata
s versatile
chariotee placoderm vandalize
subtlety
r solicit hermitage chancellor pauper
hangar
melismati permutati
verbena
c on
zirconium
spurious conferenc
ventriloqu
tempeh e
y
statisticia woebegon
circumflex
n e
calligram
ibuprofen resplenden
eczema
injurious ce aphasia
theomachy
anglophil environs
fibula
e defiant celebrator
aberration
substitut y
necrotic
e cornucopi
eminent
quiddity a
demographic
karst prominent
s Jurassic
Brigadoo archetype
n travails
vestibule antipathy
ballyhooed leviathan
arpeggio alpaca
lupine duress
19
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
epoch koto a i es sesame
l
dumbwaite jingois t c palatable
e
r allergenic m i gratis
i
vocabulary satch o m nonvolatile
s
vassal el n e juvenilia
u
panary evanescen t fomentation
r
tangerine t diverge f a reprisal
e
pervasive exemplar r t astrobleme
haphazard marsupia a a sabotage
v
legislature l trefoil t r absolution
a
shenanigans designer o s rutabaga
g
inclusion r a espousal
u
physicists i l virulence
e
tempura t be allocable
reggae y re effraction
w
futility av limousine
h
untenable c e drupiferous
a
feudalism a m organelle
r
malevolent t en osprey
f
posada a t elusive
a
acquiesce c ca disproportiona
l
apothecary l rb te cayenne
t
summary y oh tabernacle
e
brogue s yd phosphoresce
r
suet m rat nt anxiety
c

Did You Know?

In 2002, the Bee introduced the written test at the national finals for the first time. The vocabulary portion of the test
came along in 2013.

20
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
conch Appaloos ed peony
matrimony geocaching affro
singultus a urgency
errata instigate nt
impromptu ramificati bifurcate drivel
stipulate obscure eleme
oracle ons
naïveté transcriptio nt
condemn temerity
OR n desol
scenograph egress
naiveté muchacha ate
er
cadence steppe trunc
neuroticis
fido palpitant ate
m cannoli
vehicula nonchalance pedicu
platoon
r realm re
solstice
sabbatic estuary **caftan
swannery
al technician OR
probative
ermine dietetic kaftan
oblique
pugilist homage ingratiate
buoyancy
tapioca cumulus sousaphon
situation
festoone essential e
lumbar
d seraphic amalgam
topiary
tectonic cameist carnage
reverberan
wizened scrumptiously turmeric
t yeanling
tomfoole toploftical zoolatry
homicide
ry noctambulis ricochet
graphologi
harrump t visibility hackneyed
st
h ligament vespertine
principality
embezzlement plenitude **brusq
Nostradam
fallacy illustrious ue
us
asylum symmetrical OR
taxonomic
remunerati pendulous brusk
beret
on analepsis erstwhile
talisman
expostulat mitigative lolled
impecunio
e pyrite osteopat
us
integumen sacrifice h kaiser
reciprocity
t Hebrides consternation imperiou
molecule
macaw escalator s
millennial
perspicacio impasto Egyptian
ineffable
us antagonistic foible
abnegation
reimbursab lousicide
beguile
le ewer
centenary
jambalaya curfew
geriatric schism
striation dilapidat
**preferred
spelling
21
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
jettison subliminal c l phlebotom
t
Promethea charismatic e a y anemic
a
n embassy phoenix n b OR
b
contemptuo bastion ot y anaemic
l
us okapi edamame a c depravity
e
welterweig porcelain p o effervescent
a
ht scrooge deglaciation h n soirée
u
morose recruit Pl t OR
osmosis u ri soiree
s
flimflamme m v churros
h
r astringent er a diadem
e
mademoise ia n larceny
l
lle nouveau p c acetaminophen
d
heterochrom er e parochial
r
ia consul p s earnestly
a
hermeticall et u **gaffe
k
y excursion ra f OR
e
dreadlocks to f gaff
theriatrics r r ostensibly
s
cumbersom ci a gesticulate
u
e affluent n g gingivitis
i
chastise e e patience
t
colic m t quittance
a
atomic at h tenement
b
fêng shui ic y soothsayer
l
acuity w m varicose
e
al e

From Around the World

Most spellers at the Scripps National Spelling Bee are from the United States, but spellers also come from American
Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Department of Defense Schools in Europe as well as the Bahamas,
Canada, Ghana, Jamaica, Japan
and South Korea.

**preferred
spelling
22
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
adage OR
Neapolita caricatu façade evaporation garniture twilight
cicada
n chintzy re bittern proletarian
mauve
genteel emerald flotsam vantage
emeritu
requisitio liege discombobulate discountenance
s suture
n stimuli wilco scrutiny stupefy
obfuscat
schooner german concatenate irrevocable trellis
e
declamator e impeachable juxtapose
casualt
y embryo bacteriolyti residue hydrangea
y
languorou c halibut slalom
perseveranc
s stevia rhododendro spectrometer corollary étude
e apparatus
phycology n ineptitude circadian cranium
myopic
malaise academese servitude equivalent
ebullience
staid registrar traverse portentous
clairvoyanc
acerbity alma tungsten nepotism
e impetus
inimical mater vineyard truffle varicella
affianced
kaleidoscop comedien interrogative tonsillitis
archaism
e ne scullery thoracic
commodiou
gluttonous cutaneous tiramisu proviso
s austere
gypsum gnarled exaggerate netiquette
severance
polypeptid hydroponi enoki paucity
financier
e wushu c profundity doldrums
wildebeest
contradictor combustib mantra slumgullion
asado
y le factorial escarole valedictorian
limpa
penitentiar dolma nanotechnology auspices
adolescenc
y umbrage sapphire bureau elaborative
e
crustacean prevenient burglarious proprietary
menagerie
s bubonic Edenic cryptozoa **nascent
hallucinate
sartorial tributary preponderance OR naissant
opprobrious
escarpmen laudatory bruxism adieu
nocturnal
t Celsius jitney psychoanalysis tenaciously
redolent
dialysis wattage calendar
vendage
humidistat papillon reiterate
entente
sardonic vertigo remorseful
boomslang
braille accumulat cybernetics
circuitous
vignette e deltoidal
veracity
adjudicate opulent
marionette
parameciu
m
monochrom
e facade
**preferred
spelling
23
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
in g ur in ent e apiary
d u stat b qui ronin
e r ues ur nce tropical
m g que ia cycl pontiff
ni it nec l one omniscie
t a tari b usu nt
y t ne ul rper capacity
c e gal w phraseol sewage
y s va ar ogy epoxy
a t niz k caramel discreetly
n e e iri pecunia sieve
o g ag d ry trounce
si o oni e cornea hydrophob
s s stic s resilienc ia ingot
re a ros c nubuck

The First Bee

In 1925, the first national spelling bee was organized by the Louisville Courier-Journal with a total of nine spellers.
Frank Neuhauser won the championship title after correctly spelling “gladiolus.”

**preferred
spelling
24
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
jocularity sobriety
fisticuffs idiosyncrati aardvark fiduciary
unfurl manumit
propinquit c burgoo census emulsify
calculator dentifric
y occupancy stagflation lorikeet
corduroy e
epidermis coriander brontophobi malfeasance
encore collegialit
carriage amnesty a sequential
hollyhock y
abstemiou condensatio macrobiotics intersperse
qualms inclemen
s n aqueduct glareous numerology
mosaic t celery
echinoder ferret rejuvenate Paleozoic
centipede
m widdershin tubular funnel
attendee
optimum s hostile dodecahedron syndicate
nomenclatu
pathogen subsequent rictus chrysalis
re botany
acrostic whet vengeance bethesda
Holocaust
anthropolo blatant modular cartilage coeval
augment
gy pyramid kleptocrat curio ombudsman
acoustic
cruciferou terminus neuropathy hydrant zeppelin
eruption
s agitation surrealist superficiality
auburn
macchiato tremulous secession marooned
virtually
ancillary scythe digression **volary
glissando
toile duplicitous intricate OR volery
stomach
plaudits protectorat annotate follicle brochure
demonstrativ
serenad e placards vehemence grotesqueness
e
e corral fervorous privatim eradicate
megalomani
heptad credulity septennial krypton ethanol
ac posse
engineer dissonanc hypotenuse quadriceps
declension
pilcrow e shoji emancipator tachycardia
berserk
porosity auditorium y supine triceratops sandal
cathedral
tandoori reconcilabl fracas pashmina
deciduous
succum e evaluate disrepair
baleen
b mastodon photogenic
Einstein
ferventl denticulat rehearsal
municipal
y e irritability
adversaria
divestitu supplicate vainglorious
turbinado
re torsion ataxia
brethren
roseola justiciable pageantry
tympanum
installatio vernal vinegar
n
harbinge
r
raptatori
al
25
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
utili tra un ast um aid
tari ct mo acc prem pancreas
an abi ore ola onitio expunge
milli lity d de n maize
volt m yar con stere metastasiz
herr on da nive otypi e
ing ta ng ry cal quintessenti
bon ge flu imp berg al pollutant
e co ctu res amot brouhaha
orc m ati ario telep pedantry
hest pe on bru athic performan
ra ndi fla sch banq ce
phlo u bb etta uet equivocate
x m erg dict upbr fission

Did You Know?

The Scripps National Spelling Bee was featured in the Academy Award-nominated documentary Spellbound.

**preferred spelling

26
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
boondoggl recriminator documentar algae remonstranc *cognisant
e phylum y y bromide reminiscent e languish
hypochondri subaqueou menial smithereen protuberant
a s Moroccan s curator chortle
obstetricia recusancy clearance judicious unscathed
n replete retrocedenc assure vice raclette
raucous e cauterize compatriots versa superstitious
Brandywin immolate liaise exercis mawkish flambé
e résumé quotidian e civet patronymic
surreptitiou extensive matriculation pancet
s surplus transcend revulsive ta
impedimen freneticism gaucho waiver
t revenant merino capsule decenn
topgallant pestilence tragedian ial
clandestine mordant fajitas dynami
genealogic posthumou felonious te
al s QWERTY palatial Gemini
pomposity foosball Mecca retinol
neonatolog accentuat corpule
albeit
y pituitary e nt
vermicide
fleetness ascension potpou
echelon
anonymity venue rri
supremacy
carcinogeni microfich pallor
clowder
c detritus e Yorkshi
occultation
anorak quadrilater re
Chihuahua
enviable al Belgra
promontory
extrapolate turpentin via
shar-pei
extinguish e casser
narcoleptic
pilaster cellophan ole
efface
perceptible e semest
sycophant
dystopia indulgent er
bellwether
muesli occipital sacram
clarinet
crux predicame capillary ent
wordmong nt disposition terra-
er provincial cotta
wobbulat antithesis morator
or gouge ium
mahogan salivate cogniz
y laity ant
moribund indolent OR

27
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
odometer rebarbative int ssity be eltown
uvula olympiad uit piet llu sorrel
enumerate crocodile ab y m McCoy
d venerable le verit pa histrionics
desertificatio chemise di able nt cashier
n quirky campanolo vv sash o polysemy
arraign gy y ay mi stampede
elegant persuasible fa sciat m forfeit
minacious desultorily tu ica e armadillo
vindictive papyrus ou disc pri overweenin
implacable El Niño sl omfi m g
logarithmic anchorage y ture a sacrosanc
regicide conundru fr emp do t syringe
hubris m au hyse nn eclipse
hibernaculu debilitate du ma a espadrille
m mittimus le strid pr corgi
bandicoot mellifluous nt ency axi caffeine
malinger clemency ne acet s panacea
parliamentar backgamm ce one Ti
y on cere ns

There’s a First Time for Everything

Hugh Tosteson was the first winner from outside of the fifty U.S. states. He lived in Puerto Rico.

*chiefly British spelling

28
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
cabaret limpid ous
tempestuou trillium ignominious auction
froufrou syllabus peruse
s univocal Dalmatia assiduous
eschew animus alluvial
avarice n diligence bodega
ventricle epicurean
bouclé ufology bona fide
inducemen derelict
OR cholera gustatory
t vanguard revelatio
boucle **minusc obliterate legalese
portrait n
thoroughbre ule OR rudiments
tepidity arithmeti
d miniscule monitory
meridian c
potassiu jeepney equilibrium
spontaneit depredati
m volucrine roustabout trifle
y platinum on
peculate populace ambrosial
nonnegotiab
treatise vetiver simultaneity
le disparate
undergir paramet gastronome epithet
artifice
d ers encroach acacia
cymbals
oompah inflamma tetanus scarlatina
nucleated
adulation ble ciao genome
exorbitant
minutia pyrotech inviolable contrite
reparations
anticipator nics patrician enervate
constabula
y chinook mollify turophile
ry
indigent cohesiv Patagonia
speculate
mergans e vanquish
stratospher
er stigmat ectoplasm
e noxious
sternum a prolix olfactory
arbitrary
par mitocho en masse
quasar
excellence ndria
Podunk
thwartwise onomato
seize
tae kwon poeia
pathos
do lavende
equinox
fenestrate r tensile
prospero
d gaudery
us
lugubrious luxuriat
sclerosis
isosceles e
ablaut
hoity-toity cavalca
anabolic
Mesopotamia de
jimberjawe
n Muzak gladiato
d
vicinity rial
toilsome
merely machin
abominable ation
procedure pugnaci
**preferred
spelling
29
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
stroganoff surimi a ily sile
obstr
procrastinat besmirch ki fun somatotyp
epero
e trespass m am e bizarro
us
purificatio commandeer b buli dissemble
frabj
n plantain bonsai o st gallant
ous
aperture university d apo intensify
spira
rhythmical celestial er the hurriedly
cle
ly preposterous isi osis corrosive
Form
dovecote extant v ent afghan
ica
bountiful cogently e rée odontiasis
Myla
pantheon auricular in ho stratificati
r
marimba settee el me on
rusti
conduit legitimately u ost tomahawk
catio
bravado inoculate ct asis artesian
n
beneficent heleoplankton a cal mendaciou
glob
indict pliant bl am s
ular
epitome billiards e ari gubernatori
stellu
annulment e pre al pungent
lar
vegetarian er hen mandrill

Older than Sliced Bread

The National Spelling Bee was first held in 1925. That makes us older than sliced bread, bubble gum and even
trampolines.

**preferred
spelling
30
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
gibbous decumbiture
ruminate armistice viscount disheve
extracurricular multivalent
sympathy cryogenic plague l
punctuation artillery
puniness catalyst preferential Limburg
nautilus
lingua thespian bazooka er tuffet
thievery
franca submersible complacenc epact
dragoon
triforium extemporaneo y kraken abstrus
yuzu
**déjà vu us stanzaic e
ritziness
OR déjà ungetatable putrescent nephrolit
gazette
vue unilaterally nostalgia h
continuum
calabash ordinance dechlorinate adipose
pachyder
**chute ursine unconscionab quorum
m
OR arduous le Pembroke pharynx
symposiu
shute carnitas liquefaction epistola
m
impermeabl bulgogi palazzo ry
floribunda
e trepidation fibromyalg miasma pursuit
salience
collision ia terrier concoct esoteric
molasses
scarab captivate modicum graphem
classical
veganism d onus javelin e
fungible
humerus precursor spoonerism trigonomet
Gothamite
vagabonds mochi complicit ry alloy
affable
variegated feign gyrocopter Belgium
dopamine
volition dementi **medieval audacious
pitiful
gossamer a voilà OR exasperat
ammunitio
vincible OR mediaeval e
n pariah
factitious voila licensure Mandarin
prodigious
sculpture habanero Herculean Kelvin
denominat
annuity Francophon pilgrimages vellum
or
quid pro quo e oriel enunciate
prorogue
curmudgeon convivium preeminent tarsier
fecund
cushion atrium alfresco autodidac
laceration
tutelage italicizatio loquacious t parable
nexus
domiciled n prosthetic rowan
decor
theorem preliminar latency tripartite
OR
accrual y echoed epitaphs Bohemian
décor
grandeur reticulate solitaire succinct
duchy
ottoman d inquietud
pagoda
logographic authentica e
establishmen
te fiscal compunctio
t
oblige n
**preferred
spelling
31
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
quotie asbor onatel gma is hora
nt d y tic t rappelled
ricotta electr Pulitz spas a conceit
guttur ode er mod br tapas
al spora vitreo ic ac sediment
atroci dicall us bou a emulate
ous y wrait quet d caveat
vivaci sudat h deni a doubloons
ous ion insu zen br oscillation
xenogl cytop lin duo a enzyme
ossy lasm phle poly pl dinero
smorg affecti alpin et

Find the Bee on Social Media

Connect with us! If you’re 13 or older, follow the Scripps National Spelling Bee on social media. You can find us on
Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Use #spellingbee.

**preferred
spelling
32
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
comestibles
thermos pessimu infarctio interim cardiopath
stenographe
acrylics m n cedar definiendu y vanity
r
imminent amateuris udon m rhubarb nymphal
mezzanine
hieroglyphi h gourd neutron grammari
lozenge
cs oculus **intransigen verbati epigram an
tedious
dubiously t OR m joule marmoset empirical
resonate
mariposa intransigeant niacin panache havoc
suspicion
teleology tyrannical courage lucrative figurative
repudiate
bowyer pearlescent arabesqu bardolatry malacolog
emporium
infatuation tautology e scrimshaw y
Victorian
abysmal misconstru cylindric pterodacty saskatoon
forestallment
chambray e sagacious al l inculcate enmity
Iberian
rhombus mammalia tephra nimbostrat undulating
fluency
revendicat n tranquil lackadaisi us circumscri
invective
e jonquil behemoth cal vertebral be
occur
pensive equestrian silhouette racial ensemble
claustrophob
quarantine nominal dismal acrimony bassoon
ia idyllic
schnitzel draconian consortiu certitude preamble
coralline
rialto trebuchet m tuition mimeogra feasibility
abhenry
delphiniu ransom multifario ph jurisdictio
chromosom
m obelisk iambic us territory n
e braggart
diurnal monocle unanimou ultimatum mycology
relentlessly
prejudice apocalypse s soporific ambidexteri antelope
opalescenc
bombastic cemetery tupelo ty mansard
e polyglot
cistern anticoagulan cadaverou mortgage Stilton
velociraptor
exquisite t euro s prowess exhaust barracks
puree
epsilon Gouda dromedar baroque rendition
manticore
petroglyph endocrine y squalid gonzo calories
chronomet
s specious presumptuo tracheoto strengthen sortition
er cherubic
pumice us doubt my ostracism ballistic
wherewitha
zodiac unkempt firmament hasten nattily
l inquisitor
artery cursive paramount bossa tincture
chemistry
ornithology binoculars cy sultana nova gosling
quandary
apropos apportion agrarian rationale optometry
equanimity
gurney collapsar betrothal niche
sanctimonio exhibition laminate paragon
us ministratio laborious foliage
peremptory ns sententio tribunal
racketeer us
solder
**preferred
spelling
33
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
Bee’s Bookshelf
The Bee’s Bookshelf is the official online book club of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. It’s a place to explore the
connection between stories and spelling. Each month, we read a new book together and share insights, so sign up to
receive our monthly emails to find out which book is next. Visit spellingbee.com/bookshelf to learn more.

**preferred
spelling
34
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions
apostate
brazennes zealous analogize concomita
plundered
s portcullis guineas nt sundry
multitude
beauticia urbanely conglomera salutary
enthalpy
n lanai te indubitabl Beefalo
truculence
covetous hyacinth **baklava e pavlova
quagmire
flippancy segmentat OR obituary malleabl
masseuse
sequeste e baklawa obsidian e
Hippocrati
r convalesc ipso facto bidialecta idiolect
c warrior
sufficien e vagary coupon l officiant irascibl
brachiopod
cy devoid signatory annexatio e
s
wayward promulgat aspirate n
macaroon
yeoman e salinity senator animalier
Websteria angular endogenou
n s
grievanc
e solemn

**preferred
spelling
35
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: TWO
BEE
Words of the Champions

Did You Know?

The Scripps National Spelling Bee has declared co-champions in 1950, 1957, 1962, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019. Diana
Reynard and Colquitt Dean were the first co-champs in 1950.

**preferred
spelling
36
DIFFICULTY
LEVEL
THREE BEE

20
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: THREE BEE
School Spelling Bee Study List

lacrosse calamitous apprentic badminton Madagascar commodore

McIntosh dropsonde e bayonet exposure playwright
ignoble proclamatio reluctant currycomb parachuted senile
diaphoresi n hokum heritage haughty periodically laryngitis
s kurta colossal sojourner hesitate intriguing proximo
Hyperion coltan derogato opportunit absorptive **guerrilla
Geiger squadron ry palsy y Apollo incomprehensib OR guerilla
thermohali marinate Lascaux accordanc le Merrimack Giza
ne gannet anagrams synesthesi e Sinai fixity
palladium verandas a atmospher asparagus jodhpurs
brevet OR OR ic levees solace hydrargyru
pamphlet verandahs synaesthesi precariousl argyria m
palindrom Himalayan a nefarious y guanine carborane
e visite aspersions halogens proportiona xylyl denouncement
satsuma culminate gallium te suffused therapeutic Columbia
stirrups helium smelters accelerate tumultuous misdemeanor
Connemar steeplechasing hymnal s OR
a Teflon tartaric coincidenc *misdemeanou
abundanc bantam bindi e r
e Haitian prestigious
divan emphatic
contaminat
ed

Our Namesake
Although the first national spelling bee occurred in 1925, it wasn’t until 1941 that Scripps-Howard
Newspapers, now known as The E.W. Scripps Company, assumed leadership of the program.

*chiefly British spelling

spelling
**preferred 21
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: THREE
BEE
Words of the Champions
imaret allelopathy cinerariu polemic adumbrat cyrillic Adélie
cornichon capoeira m paladin e manteau
devastavit agnolotti totipotenc depilatory framboise
Mediterranea ballabile y agnomen bucolic littoral jacana
n longevous draegerman Bauhaus milieu sommelier
digerati prescient sacerdotal woad pikas examen
solecism Fribourg skeuomorp terpsichore plumassier
hypertroph proselytizer h strychnin maxillae
y ravigote OR binturong e pseudonymous
inchoate *proselytiser mamushi pissaladière gentian synod
judoka tenon lipophilic nilpotent pompadour
vaccary nubilous codicil latitudinarian quatrefoil
Adelaide iatrogenic coulomb voltammetr pasquinade
unwonted onychitis violaceous y Valkyrian
tazza roux Rorschach rathskeller zymurgy
damson tuatara arthralgia asphyxiate histolysis
pelisse chicle desman spondylitis penurious
succade sulcus jacaranda sequoia Magellan
tumulus thalamu huapango immure Reykjavík
dorsiflexo s gyttja predilectio theodicy moussaka
r jibboom n politeia serricorn
profiterol vestigial entomopha canard Nereid oyez
e Orwellia gy Lisztian Huguenot
valetudina n paronomas gerundial acequia
ry aristoi gimbale ia facsimile ensilage adrenergic
vireo d renminbi cabal habitué
rococo cabalett interferon sotto voce OR habitue
lachsschink a hesped sedulous inesculent kalanchoe
en umami velouté cicerone warison
wakame persiflag Aesopian pusillanimous carapace
bathos e frigate quidnunc
nihilism toreador enoptroman genoise
ustion vermicell cy satiety arachnophagous
sumpsimu i perorate pirouetted
s frangipa **imbroglio bestial
morel ne OR hallux
abeyance reseau embroglio jabot
rongeur moulage ochlocracy saponaceous
mountebank interpellat brioche
e
genuflec
t
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: THREE
BEE
Words of the Champions
dau n uto hirci cate erie
erla seich effro ne gorg inveighed
uf e ntery rheu on mostaccioli
ema carm pasti mati polyd azedarach
nan agno che c actyl elision
t le almo risibi y danseur
cart enci ner lity bire chevalier
e na cald Dali me taurine
blan ence era esqu apos hierurgical
che phali quer e emat melee
bod tis ulou prog ic emolumen
hra riten s nosti bijout t ikebana
On a Global Scale
At just 12 years old, Jody-Anne Maxwell, from Kingston, Jaimaica, was our first international champion. She won the
Bee in 1998.

*chiefly British spelling

**preferred spelling
22
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: THREE
BEE
Words of the Champions
exaugural myeloma vignero realia phulkari bialy
gaillardia lebensrau n grison garrulous appurtenances
caryatid m mufti tannine paroxysm corsair zabaglione
heliacal dirigible d communiqué velamen sporran
schefflera surcease spiedi Chantilly clematis
contrappost ascetic ni jacquard kente
o temblor oolite anhing sorghum ranine
insoucianc revanche a jai guilloche riparian
e catarrh megrims alai appositive **accoutrement OR
quattrocento podagra Rastafaria dirndl accouterment
millegrain palaver n latke radicchio dudgeon
canaille luthier succussio martinet nitid Basenji
verisimilitud yttriferou n asterion concinnate
e s vermeil avifauna hypallage Stradivarius
Keynesian joropo
Ouagadougo solenoid synecdoche
akaryote toxicosis
u veridical tulsi
azulejo colporteu
bibliopegist threnody sebaceous
hauberk r
plagiarism Jacobean papeterie
bouillon
holobenthi OR ballotage litigious
tarpaulin
c colporter ocotillo phytophilous
cephalopod
boutonnier agitprop dubitante meunière
pulchritude
e anodyne Achernar disciform hilum
pekoe
saccharide cassock mizuna fanfaronade
patois boulevardi meringue trichotillomania malachite
Rubicon er quokka mackinaw huipil urticaria
bourgeois lidocaine sambal capsaicin
mustelid
aerophilatel contretem yuloh ptosis pejerrey
prestidigitation
ic ankh ps a hermeneutic horologist
soupçon
contumeliou posteriori s tikkun speleothem
diphtheria
s scaberulou macaque bdelloid
vicissitude s lassitude nugatory
s lilliputian anaglyphy oeuvre commorients
Sbrinz reconnoiter altazimuth immiscible
kathakali OR Castilian toroidal
cozen reconnoitre trichinosis
oxalis realpolitik ecclesiolog
colloque y
onychorrhexis teppanyaki
paraffin cicatrize
somnolent
intonaco
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: THREE
BEE
Words of the Champions
eu verv homi ic patissier re
rip ain nem nar Yeatsia anechoic
us chan oubl anj n leonine
sa oyu iette illa surfeit laulau
ma ham béc ele limicolo Gruyère
riu adry ham gia us proprioceptive
m ad el c girando oppugn
var calu repo pât le macropterous
isci mny ussa issi googo euphonious
te esca ge er l retinoscopy
bol bech otac OR étagè sepulchral
ide e ad oust

Word Club
Want a new way to study? The Word Club app, launching in October 2019 in the App Store and the Google Play Store,
will make mastering Words of the Champions fun! Choose from multiple different quiz and study options for both
spelling and vocabulary, all with expert audio pronunciations from the Bee’s official pronouncer, Dr. Jacques Bailly.

spelling
**preferred 23
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: THREE
BEE
Words of the Champions
sangfroid sakur Jungian reparte subriden flaneur Ponzi
pasilla a Groenendael e t teneramente
maringoui bucc facile chimer ethylene styptic sopapilla
n argot al chrysolite a nictitate boutade
vicenary zocal execrable OR towhee escritoire
ajimez o hangul *chimaera affenpinscher
pompeii **aficionado cartouches avgolemono gudgeon
oviparous OR Nicoise exiguous beaumontage
mangonel afficionado OR presentie galoot desiccate
coalescen piscivorous Niçoise nt renvoi aporia moraine
ce benison julienne kichel hirsute shubunkin
Plantagen gagaku moiety semaphor hepatectomy
et bauxite amygdala pastitsio e gambol bloviate seine
kakapo scurrilous modiste angiitis galapago
pelagial flèche deuterium Teutonic au courant
ague tetrachoric Icarian Conestog crepuscular theca
largesses sforzando pappardell a croustade kipuka
fulgent thalassic e Sahel zeitgeist noumenon
olecranon frazil bibelot heinousnes chicanery
toreutics rapprochemen telegnosi s nacelle vilipend vitiate
mascarpo t glacis s loupe rupicolou spodumene
ne rissole ahimsa oleicultur s leberwurst
seneschal kanji e Pythagorean daguerreotype
pinniped weltschme **loess kepi yakitori
wahine rz jalousie OR **bulgur
grissino ichthyolog löss ruelle OR
coterie y pruritus Ushuaia bulghur
sylph dactylic redingote ushabti
katsura affogato adscititiou puchero
diastole scrivener s nival
mediobro dysrhythm hummock ascites
me ia dragée internecin Véroniqu
demurrag choucrout e duxelles e
e tristeza e hsaing- mesial OR
trigemina waing Feldenkrai Veronique
l bruja stevedore s bailiwick planetesima
upsilon harangue bozzetto l taoiseach
niveau coiffure obeisant
rouille whippoorwi
rescissible ll Ficus
agelicism
24
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: THREE
BEE
Words of the Champions
p arte icu ku ai s ad
e rre le gel ll nauseam
j ron gy to e ganache
o dea as pa c sauger
r u cut zol o kanban
a atlat us ite u toccata
t l cy tro v pertinacit
e allo gn mp e y
A chro et e rt gasthaus
it ous su l’o u transmonta
u enn pe eil r ne
t ui rcil ail e laterigrade
a cais iou ett le hyssop
k son s e m naumachia
i che dy fet ni focaccia
a ong sp tic s pahoehoe
n sam ha us c
p grat sia roc u

Home Sweet Home

While many people think the Bee is headquartered in Washington, D.C., our hive is actually located in Cincinnati,
Ohio.

*chiefly British spelling

**preferred spelling

25
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: THREE
BEE
Words of the Champions
Kjeldahl catachre camarilla fortissimo
attaché nidicolous
rubefacien sis tiffin portmanteau
rafflesia oxyacetyl
t halcyon colcanno coaxation
ranuncul ene queue
corrigenda n us pistou hellebore
Zanni tournedo scintillatio transhuma
nonage s ormolu n nce
beurre blottesqu Bolognes phloem
jicama e e farrago lacustrine
sturnine consom coup de ageusia
octonocular mé grace pillor
parallax
OR tourelle deleterio
antenatus
consomme notturno us ikat
trouvaille
ullage ginglymus pylorus
glazier
zortzico hemorrhage erythrobl
kinesiolog
teratism tapetum ast
y
flagellum golem maillot
exogenous
panegyric krewe epenthe
aniseikoni
hoi polloi toque sis
a
sirenian avuncula hinoki
guayabera
nescience r nonparei
realgar
blatherskite habilimen l
anaphylaxis
consigliere ts rubato nyctinas
bobolink
adiabatic gentilitial ty
diluent
camember obnebulat pointelle
urushiol
t e vinaigret
andouille
ecchymosi allonym te
otiose
s oppidan croquembouc tinnient
megacephali decastich he kobold aioli
c souchong Naugahyde mendicity pochoir
poltroon lefse castellated glyceraldehy
Freudian beccafico toponymic de
floruit amphistylar boudin hagiograph
Bunyanesqu saturnine bucatini er syncope
e exsect zaibatsu reboatio icosahedro
champigno titian n haupia n goanna
n bahuvrihi tokonoma Kepleria wassail
panjandrum unguiculate n ammonite
amaryllis codswall tanager
reveille op pneumatoc
regnal hauteur yst
26
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: THREE
BEE
Words of the Champions
ardoise e neo o hy eau
farouche frison phy mei Ara filar
farfalle flavedo te osis mai bhangra
ogival maquillage buf gule c risorgimen
stretto mortadella fa s ana to agalma
coccyge stanchion cla nimi the analgesia
al spirulina vic ety ma dengue
Diplodocu eleemosynary hor loke bas cantatrice
s force majeure d lani ilic emollient
tachyon ossicle de psor a parquet
piccata anemone rig iasis raj dhurrie
isagoge alpargata ueu bav pra lapidary
élan disembogue r arda mu cachexia
breviloquenc luculent sec ge kh connoisse
e kalimba expatiate ant coul Ch ur
illative xerogel com ibia alc ferrugino
betony vizierial anc c olit us
bêtise crescive her xylo hic gendarme
transienc tryptophan glyp rinc
It’s All Greek to Me
We often get questions about why we use words that may not appear to be English. Most words in the English
language are words that we borrowed from other languages. We borrowed them, used them, and now call them our
own.

27
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: THREE
BEE
Words of the Champions
demulcent embolus zazen cabochon syzygy r
goosander caveola après Beethovenian
kwashiorkor farina zydeco tatterdemalion
lecithin heuristic consanguine susurrus
cetology nudibranc bibimbap **bienvenue
plenipotentia h aquiclude OR
ry triquetra demitasse bienvenu
foudroyant paramahams tomalley potwallope
sesquipedali a duello bouffant r
an fjeld bas-relief kaffeeklatsc
expugnable tomograph rhizome h
profligacy y Wensleydale peregrinatio
yosenabe effleurag erubescent n paraquat
funori e estovers prana
piloncillo chastush rembrandt sinciput
xiphias ka bonspiel abattoir
étouffée bergère hackamore glossopetr
OR Erewhonia blancmange ae diktat
etouffee n rhyton simulacrum llanero
degauss orogeny cnidarian Machiavellian
tussock Pepysian capotasto glaucomatous
lanolated esplanad Panagia haori
linnet e nockerl rheostat
embouchure gesellsch rhabdoid hariolatio
plangency aft tamari apodyterium n
apocryphal arenaceo apoplexy thylacine
tamarack us verdure cenote
puerilely panetton fait accompli griffonag
obloquy e tmesis dreikanter e
dhole clerihew penicillin fossiliferou
**budgeriga tsukupin pendeloque s
r OR katakana beelzebub calefacie
budgereegah Parmenti rhinorrhagia nt
OR er rugose Foley obdurate
budgerygah brume nunchaku
outré hiortdahli senryu
ululate te cormoran
sororal extravasa t gnomon
epideict te pinetum
ic incunabul brucellosi
a s
cordillera wastewei
 DIFFICULTY LEVEL: THREE
BEE
Words of the Champions
diamanté thaumatur Luddite encarnadine gazoz
sphygmomete ge wickiup Glaswegia
r pinioned nisse n
**kibitzer fouetté impugn stannum
OR venenat brouillo putsch
kibbitzer e n tralatitiou
auteur badinag derech s
labefaction e o denoueme
ibidem saccadic solipsis dulci nt
estival mignonet t nea hortatory
OR te sinophi nain maquette
aestival loup- coadjuto le sook obliviscen
garou r harmat queri ce
empennage chiffona tan da autophag
lysozyme de **incarna paill y Airedale
grimthorpe haricot dine OR ard potager
malleolus

One Dictionary to Rule them All

The only source for the Scripps National Spelling Bee is the Merriam-Webster Unabridged
Online Dictionary. (http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/)

spelling
**preferred 26