80+ Printable Open Syllables Word Lists

In this article we’re going to unravel the mystery of syllables, focusing particularly on open syllables. These little units of sound play a huge role in how we pronounce and spell words.

Understanding open syllables is like unlocking a secret code of the English language, making reading and spelling much more approachable and fun.

Let’s discover the world of open syllables, a world where vowels sing a little louder and a bit longer!

You can see the lists of open syllable words in the article and download a list of open syllable words at the bottom of the article.

We have included, one, two, three, four open syllable words and word with more than one open syllable examples in the printable list.

Exploring Syllables: The Basics

In simple terms, a syllable is a single, unbroken sound unit in a word, and it’s one of the key building blocks of spoken language. Think of syllables as the rhythm of language – they give words their beat and flow.

Recognizing syllables is a crucial skill in early literacy, as it helps children break down words into manageable chunks, making reading and spelling a whole lot easier.

Each syllable typically contains a vowel sound and often includes surrounding consonants.

What are Open Syllables?

Now, let’s zoom in on open syllables. Picture an open syllable as a little open door at the end of a sound, letting the vowel’s voice carry through loud and clear.

In technical terms, an open syllable is one that ends with a vowel, and this vowel usually makes a long sound. For example, the word ‘go’ is an open syllable because it ends with the vowel ‘o’, which says its name, creating that long ‘o’ sound.

Open syllables are like the free spirits of the phonetic world – they let vowels show their full, true colors without any consonants at the end to close them up or cut them off!

Open Syllables Word Lists

To get a real feel for open syllables, let’s see them in action.

Single-syllable words like ‘me’ or ‘hi’ are perfect examples, but open syllables also play a big role in longer words. Take ‘ba-by’, where ‘ba-‘ is an open syllable, and so it ‘by’ so this word has more than one open syllable in it.

( we have a list of those later as well)

Spotting open syllables in multi-syllable words can be a fun detective game for young readers. Try breaking down words into their syllable parts to see which ones are open and which ones are closed.

Table 1: List of Open Syllable Words

One Syllable	Two Syllables	Three Syllables	Four Syllables
me	baby	banana	macaroni
go	open	tomato	radiator
no	tiger	potato	cafeteria
so	music	idea	photography
he	silent	radio	obligatory
we	moment	video	considerate
hi	robot	studio	elimination
she	human	piano	hospitality
be	final	cameo	revolutionary
by	paper	veto	investigator
my	zero	patio	emancipation
spy	ego	mediator	precipitation
shy	pilot	scenario	emancipation
fly	hero
try
cry
sky
why
fry
by

Difference Between Open and Closed Syllables

Understanding the difference between open and closed syllables is like learning to distinguish different flavors in a delicious meal.

Closed syllables are the opposite of open ones – they end with a consonant, which makes the vowel sound short.

• For instance, in the word ‘cat’, the ‘a’ is short because it’s followed by a consonant, ‘t’, making it a closed syllable.
• In contrast, in the word ‘he’, the ‘e’ is long and ends the syllable, making it open.

Knowing this difference is super helpful for young readers and spellers, as it guides them in pronouncing vowels correctly and tackling new words with confidence.

Can a word have more than one Open Syllable

In some words, multiple open syllables can happen. These words are divided into segments where each syllable ends in a vowel, typically producing a long vowel sound.

This structure can make pronunciation clearer and more rhythmic. Understanding such patterns helps in enhancing reading and spelling skills, especially in multisyllabic word recognition.

Here’s a table illustrating examples of such words:

Table 2: List of Open Syllable Words containing more than one open Syllable

Alien	Media	Piano	Julia
Radio	Patio	Diet	Video
Idea	Neon	Museum	Creation

You can download the PDF List of Open syllable Words below, and find some teaching tips for open syllables with and without this list.

Teaching Tips for Open Syllables

Teaching open syllables can be a lot of fun, and here are some tips to make the most of it you can use the printable list of open syllables for some of these as well.

Using Open Syllables in Class

1. Syllable Sorting Games: Create a game where students sort words into open and closed syllables. This hands-on activity enhances understanding and recognition.
2. Word Building Exercises: Use letter tiles or cards to build words. Start with a closed syllable and then change it to an open syllable by removing the closing consonant.
3. Interactive Storytelling: Write a story together as a class, focusing on using as many open syllable words as possible. This encourages creativity while reinforcing the concept.
4. Syllable Sleuthing in Books: Encourage students to become syllable detectives, spotting open syllables in their reading books. This helps apply the concept in real-world reading.

Printable Open Syllable List Activities.

1. Syllable Sorting Activity: Have students categorize words from the list into groups based on the number of syllables. This helps reinforce syllable counting and identification skills. You can cup out or rewrite the words and mix them up
2. Open Syllable Hunt: Assign students to find words from the list in their reading materials. This exercise helps them recognize open syllables in context and enhances reading comprehension.
3. Word Building Challenge: Using the words from the list, students can create new words by adding prefixes or suffixes. This activity demonstrates how word meanings change with the addition of different word parts.
4. Spelling Bee with a Twist: Conduct a spelling bee focusing solely on open syllable words. This can be a fun way to practice spelling while emphasizing the concept of open syllables.

Conclusion

The world of open syllables is an essential part of a reading and writing toolkit, helping students decode the melody of words.

Remember, every syllable and vowel sound is important in language.

Teachers, by helping your students learn these concepts through fun activities, you’re doing more than teaching them to read and write; you’re sparking their lifelong interest in language

FAQs on Open Syllables

1. What is an open syllable? An open syllable is a syllable that ends with a vowel. This vowel typically makes a long sound, like the ‘o’ in ‘go’ or the ‘i’ in ‘hi’.
2. Can open syllables end in a short vowel? Open syllables typically feature long vowel sounds. A vowel in an open syllable usually says its name, which is its long sound.
3. Can a word have more than one open syllable? Yes, a word can have multiple open syllables. For example, ‘radio’ has three open syllables: ‘Ra’ and ‘di’.
4. Does an open syllable have to be at the end of a word? No, an open syllable doesn’t have to be at the end of a word. It can occur at the beginning, middle, or end of a word.
5. How does an open syllable affect pronunciation? Open syllables often result in the vowel having a long sound, which can change the pronunciation of a word significantly. For instance, ‘cap’ (closed syllable) versus ‘cape’ (open syllable).
6. Are open syllables common in English? Yes, open syllables are quite common in English. They are often found in both simple and complex words across the language.
7. Can an open syllable contain more than one vowel? Typically, an open syllable contains just one vowel, although there are exceptions, especially in compound words or words with vowel teams.
8. What are some examples of open syllable words? Examples include ‘he’, ‘baby’, ‘paper’, ‘radio’, and ‘piano’. Each of these words contains at least one syllable that ends with a vowel, making a long sound.

We also have more syllable articles, worksheets, games and more here on the site.

• How to teach syllables to children
• Set of 4 syllable worksheets
• Best online syllable games
• Mixed ability syllable worksheets
• Closed Syllable word list

Further Reading

• https://www.ascendlearningcenter.com/blog-highlights/open-syllables-the-reading-and-spelling-rules-that-nobody-taught-you
• https://study.com/academy/lesson/open-syllable-words-examples.html
• https://informedliteracy.com/what-is-an-open-syllable-and-why-is-it-important/
• https://literacylearn.com/open-syllables-words-list/