Did you know that there are words that have silent letters at the beginning? That’s right, there are! Here are some examples. The letter “k” is silent in the word “knee.” The letter “w” is silent in the word “wrap.” Can you think of any others? Hint: there is a word that has a silent “h” at the beginning. Give up? The word is “honor.” So the next time you come across a word with a silent letter at the beginning, don’t worry, you’re not alone! Just remember to sound it out and you’ll be able to say it correctly in no time.There are lots of words in English that have silent letters at the beginning! Can you think of any? Here are a few examples:
- Knife – the ‘k’ is silent
- Wrinkle – the ‘w’ is silent
- Pneumonia – the ‘p’ is silent
- Hateful – the ‘h’ is silent
Words with Silent Letters At The Beginning
| · Aisle | · Bdellium | · Chthonic |
| · corps | · coup | · cupboard |
| · Czar | · Gnarly | · Gnat |
| · Gnaw | · Gnome | · Gnomon |
| · Gnomon sundial | · Gnomonic | · Gnomonics |
| · Gnomonist | · Gnostic | · Gnosticism |
| · Gnotobiotic | · Gnu | · Heir |
| · Herb | · Homage | · Honest |
| · Honor | · Hour | · knack |
| · knave | · knead | · Knee |
| · kneel | · knew | · knickers |
| · Knick-knack | · knife | · Knight |
| · knit | · Knob | · knock |
| · knoll | · knot | · know |
| · knowledge | · knuckle | · Knur |
| · Knurl | · Mnemonic | · Pneumonia |
| · Pnictogen | · Psalm | · pseudo |
| · Pseudoephedrine | · Pseudomonas | · Psilophyta |
| · Psilophyte | · Psilotaceae | · Psilotales |
| · Psilotum | · Psittacine | · Psoriasis |
| · psychiatrist | · Psychiatry | · Psychic |
| · Psychology | · Psychosis | · psychotherapy |
| · psychotic | · Psychro cave | · Psychro-active |
| · Psychrometer | · Psychrophile | · Psychrophilic |
| · Psychroteuthis | · Psychro-tolerant | · Psychrotrophic |
| · Psychro-xerophilous | · Ptarmigan | · Ptelea |
| · Pteranodon | · Pteria | · Pterion |
| · Pterodactyl | · Pterygium | · Ptosis |
| · raspberry | · receipt | · Tmesipteris |
| · Tsunami | · Who | · Wraith |
| · Wrangle | · Wrangler | · Wrangling |
| · Wrap | · Wrath | · Wrathful |
| · Wreath | · Wren | · Wrench |
| · Wrest | · Wrested | · Wrestle |
| · Wrestling | · Wretch | · Wretched |
| · Wright | · Wrinkle | · Wrist |
| · Writ | · Write | · Writhe |
| · Writing | · Written | · Wroth |
| · Wrought | · Wry | · Wryneck |
It can be tricky to know when to pronounce these letters and when not to. The best way to learn is by listening to native speakers and imitating them. With a little practice, you’ll soon be pronouncing these words like a pro!
