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- March 27, 2025
Download 8th Grade Spelling Words and Spelling Quiz Prep Guide
When it comes to language development, 8th grade is a turning point. Students begin to encounter more complex vocabulary that forms the foundation of high school academics and standardized testing. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or student looking for the perfect spelling quiz words for 8th grade, you’re in the right place.
In this post, we’re diving into everything you need to know about 8th grade spelling words, including a curated word list, quiz-ready terms, and challenging 8th grade spelling bee words. We’ve even included neatly formatted tables so you can copy, print, or study them easily.
Why Are 8th Grade Spelling Words Important?
Spelling at this level is more than just memorizing words—it’s about understanding roots, prefixes, suffixes, and proper usage in writing and speech. Mastery of these words boosts:
Vocabulary
Writing skills
Reading comprehension
SAT/ACT prep down the road
Students preparing for spelling competitions or classroom quizzes will benefit from structured, repeated exposure to both eight grade spelling words and contextual practice.
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8th Grade Spelling Words: Core Academic List
This list includes general eight grade spelling words suitable for classroom instruction and vocabulary building.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Aesthetic | Adjective | Concerned with beauty | Her aesthetic sense is remarkable. |
| Benevolent | Adjective | Kind and generous | He was a benevolent leader. |
| Dilemma | Noun | A difficult situation | She faced a moral dilemma. |
| Incessant | Adjective | Continuing without pause | The incessant noise was annoying. |
| Mundane | Adjective | Lacking excitement | His routine was mundane and boring. |
| Proficient | Adjective | Skilled or capable | She is proficient in French. |
| Alleviate | Verb | To ease or reduce pain | The medicine will alleviate your headache. |
| Empathy | Noun | Understanding others’ feelings | She showed empathy toward the victim. |
| Integrity | Noun | Honesty and strong morals | He was known for his integrity. |
| Vigilant | Adjective | Watchful and alert | The guards remained vigilant at night. |
These spelling words for 8th grade can be incorporated into weekly lessons or quizzes.
Spelling Quiz Words for 8th Grade (With Pronunciation Help)
This table includes spelling quiz-friendly words with pronunciation guides and example usages. Perfect for test prep!
| Word | Pronunciation | Difficulty | Example |
| Acknowledge | /əkˈnäləj/ | Medium | He failed to acknowledge her contribution. |
| Conscientious | /ˌkän(t)SHēˈen(t)SHəs/ | High | She is a conscientious student. |
| Persuasion | /pərˈswāZHən/ | Medium | He used persuasion to convince his team. |
| Remorseful | /rəˈmôrsfəl/ | Medium | She was remorseful after the argument. |
| Ubiquitous | /yo͞oˈbikwədəs/ | High | Smartphones are ubiquitous today. |
| Hierarchy | /ˈhīəˌrärkē/ | High | The company had a strict hierarchy. |
| Ostentatious | /ˌästənˈtāSHəs/ | High | His lifestyle was too ostentatious. |
| Reclusive | /rəˈklo͞osiv/ | Medium | The author lived a reclusive life. |
| Succinct | /səkˈsiNG(k)t/ | Medium | Her explanation was succinct and clear. |
| Tedious | /ˈtēdēəs/ | Medium | The assignment was long and tedious. |
These are ideal eight grade spelling quiz words that challenge memory and application.
8th Grade Spelling Bee Words (With Definitions & Usage)
These challenging words are commonly used in school-level spelling bees. Practice with these can give your child or student an edge.
| Word | Definition | Used In a Sentence |
| Abdicate | To give up power or responsibility | The king abdicated the throne. |
| Belligerent | Hostile and aggressive | His belligerent attitude got him in trouble. |
| Cacophony | A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds | The city street was full of cacophony. |
| Demagogue | A leader who seeks support by appealing to emotions | The demagogue incited the crowd. |
| Enigma | A person or thing that is mysterious | His past remained an enigma. |
| Facetious | Treating serious issues with humor | She made a facetious remark during the meeting. |
| Garrulous | Excessively talkative | He was too garrulous during class. |
| Hypocrisy | The practice of claiming moral standards while behaving otherwise | The politician was accused of hypocrisy. |
| Juxtapose | To place side by side for comparison | The book juxtaposes modern and ancient values. |
| Nefarious | Wicked or criminal | He devised a nefarious scheme. |
These words often appear in 8th grade spelling bee word lists, textbooks, and other academic readings, especially at regional competitions.
Practice Tips for 8th Grade Spelling Word Mastery
Break the Words Down
Focus on syllables, roots, and common suffixes/prefixes.Create Mnemonics
Memory tricks make longer words easier to remember.Use Words in Sentences
This cements understanding and proper context.
Weekly Mini Quizzes
Use 10 words per week with mixed-level difficulty.Spelling Bee Drills
Say the word aloud, spell it out, and repeat.
Mixed-Level Quiz Table for Review
Try this mixed quiz as part of your study or classroom activity. Mark the difficulty and check the answers after.
| Word | Difficulty | Is It Spelled Correctly? (Y/N) | Correct Spelling (If Wrong) |
| Concientious | High | N | Conscientious |
| Vilgilant | Medium | N | Vigilant |
| Benevolent | Medium | Y | — |
| Remourseful | Medium | N | Remorseful |
| Juxtapose | High | Y | — |
| Enigmatic | Medium | Y | — |
| Garrulous | Medium | Y | — |
| Acknoledge | Medium | N | Acknowledge |
| Perswasion | Medium | N | Persuasion |
| Hierarcy | High | N | Hierarchy |
Navigating the world of 8th-grade spelling words doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether prepping for a spelling quiz, participating in a spelling bee, or just brushing up on advanced vocabulary, having organized, level-appropriate word lists is key.
Use this guide, download the tables, and practice regularly. With a bit of time and focus, you’ll be surprised how quickly these eight grade spelling quiz words become second nature!