Scripps National Spelling Bee Notes

Spelling Bee Participants

  • Most Spellers: Majority of participants are from the United States.
  • International Representation: Includes spellers from:
    • Guam
    • Puerto Rico
    • U.S. Virgin Islands
    • Bahamas
    • Canada
    • Ghana
    • Nigeria
    • Kuwait
    • Department of Defense Schools in Europe

Word Difficulty Levels

  • Difficulty Level: Two Bee - indicates the complexity of the words spellers may encounter.

Words of the Champions

  • Organization: Words are organized alphabetically to assist in mastering vocabulary.
  • Spelling Indicators:
    • A single asterisk (*) denotes primarily British spelling.
    • A double asterisk (**) indicates the preferred spelling in general use.
  • Additional Note: Complete list of added words available on page 46 of the reference material.

Sample Words for Mastery

A:

  • affianced: Verb form denoting a promise to marry.
  • aberration: Departure from the expected course; a deviation.
  • ablation: The removal or reduction of material from a surface.
  • aerobics: Exercise that improves respiratory and cardiovascular function.
  • affable: Friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to.

B:

  • bleak: Depressing, discouraging, harsh, cold, barren, raw.

C:

  • cubism: Art movement characterized by the use of geometric shapes and a fragmented perspective.
  • cavalcade: A formal procession of people walking, on horseback, or riding in vehicles.

D:

  • diablo: Spanish term for the devil, often associated with mischief or evil.
  • deferential: Showing respect or yielding to the authority of another.

E:

  • effusion: An instance of giving off something, such as a liquid or gas.

F:

  • faux pas: An embarrassing social mistake or blunder.

G:

  • gasket: A mechanical seal that fills the space between two or more mating surfaces.

H:

  • haphazard: Marked by a lack of planning, randomness.

I:

  • interact: To communicate or work together.

J:

  • jerky: A dry snack made from meat that has been trimmed of fat and cut into strips.

K:

  • karate: A form of martial arts developed in Japan, emphasizing striking techniques.

L:

  • leisure: Free time when one is not working.

M:

  • military: Relating to the armed forces or to the profession of soldiers.

N:

  • nostrils: The two openings in the nose through which air passes.

O:

  • oysters: Marine mollusks that can aggregate in beds and are often harvested for food.

P:

  • promise: A declaration or assurance that one will do something or that something will happen.

Q:

  • quizzical: Indicating mild or amused puzzlement or curiosity.

R:

  • reunion: A gathering of family members or friends after a period of separation.

S:

  • severe: Very great; intense; strict or harsh.

T:

  • twinkle: To shine with a gleam that changes from bright to dim in quick succession.

U:

  • uproar: A state of commotion or noisy disturbance.

V:

  • voyage: A long journey involving travel by sea or in space.

W:

  • Wednesday: The day of the week between Tuesday and Thursday.

Y:

  • yacht: A medium-sized sailboat equipped for cruising or racing.

Did You Know?

  • Vocabulary Questions Introduction: Introduced in 2013 as part of the Bee's written tests.
  • Oral Vocabulary Questions: First introduced at the National Competition in 2021.