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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.

Key Terms

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

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.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Free from any doubt

definite

defernite

deffinite

definit

It can be helpful to remember that the word "finite" is contained in "definite"

2 .

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

3 .

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

4 .

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A barren area of land especially one with little water or vegetation

dessert

desirt

desert

desurt

Be careful not to muddle "desert" and "dessert"!

5 .

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

6 .

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

7 .

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

8 .

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To remove, get rid of, erase

deylete

dalete

dilite

delete

Delete those incorrect spellings!

9 .

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
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

10 .

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Decode

decifer

decipher

desifer

desipher

The c and ph are tricky here

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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