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Words beginning with dec...
Protecting from attack is defence.

Words beginning with dec...

This KS3 spelling quiz focuses on words beginning with dec-. Spot patterns, hear the syllables and choose the correct spellings to sharpen your English vocabulary.

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Fascinating Fact:

Decrease and decay both start with dec- but have very different endings. Say de-crease (two syllables) and de-cay (two syllables) to keep the spellings separate.

In KS3 English Spelling, you often meet dec- words like decrease, decay, decorate and decision. Listening for de- and the changing second syllable helps you separate meanings and remember accurate spellings in your written work.

  • Prefix: Letters added to the start of a word, such as dec-, that slightly change the meaning or show a shared pattern between related words.
  • Root word: The main part of a word that carries its core meaning. Different prefixes and suffixes can be added to the root to make new words.
  • Syllable: A beat in a word. Splitting dec- words into beats, like de-cide or de-cor-ate, makes them easier to read, say and spell.
How can I remember KS3 spelling words that start with dec-?

Group dec- words into small lists, say them in syllables and write them in short sentences. Seeing, saying and using the words together helps the spellings stay in your memory.

What does the prefix dec- mean in English words?

In some words dec- links to the idea of ten, like decade and decimal, while in others it links to a change or reduction, like decrease. Always check the whole word and its context.

Why do dec- words sometimes sound similar but look different?

English spellings are influenced by Latin, Greek and French, so words can share a starting pattern but have different endings. Learning the full spelling of each word avoids confusing look-alike spellings.

1 .
Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A person who relies on another for support
deppendent
dependant
dependint
dependunt
A dependant is dependent on someone else
2 .
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A colony or a territory subject to rule by an external power
dependuncy
dependincy
deppendency
dependency
Watch out for the e of the penultimate syllable
3 .
Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Protection from attack
defence
defents
difense
deffence
"Defense" is an alternate spelling, mostly used in US English
4 .
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Free from any doubt
definite
defernite
deffinite
definit
It can be helpful to remember that the word "finite" is contained in "definite"
5 .
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A barren area of land especially one with little water or vegetation
dessert
desirt
desert
desurt
Be careful not to muddle "desert" and "dessert"!
6 .
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To remove, get rid of, erase
deylete
dalete
dilite
delete
Delete those incorrect spellings!
7 .
Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Decode
decifer
decipher
desifer
desipher
The c and ph are tricky here
8 .
Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A unit of measurement of temperature
dagree
degree
degrie
digree
Remember the e of the unstressed first syllable
9 .
Click the correct answer for the following definition.
An account depicting something or someone
discriptien
descriptien
description
discription
The unstressed e of the first syllable is the key letter to remember here
10 .
Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The act of making up your mind about something
descision
decision
desishion
dessision
"Decide" and "decision" are related
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Spelling

Author:  Sheri Smith (PhD English Literature, English Teacher & Quiz Writer)

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