Words that start with K, W and Y, with meanings
Words that start with K, W and Y for kids and grown-ups, with short meanings, plus tips for word games where these letters come up.
By Polarzinho ·
Stuck on K in a word game? I have been there, staring at the letter like it owed me bamboo. So I put together the best words that start with K, W and Y, each with a quick meaning.
Each letter has easy words for kids first and bigger words after, so the list works for homework and for game night.
Words that start with K
Easy K words
- Kangaroo: an Australian animal that hops
- Kite: a toy you fly in the wind
- Kitten: a baby cat
- Kiwi: a brown, fuzzy fruit that is green inside
- Koala: an Australian animal that lives in trees
- Key: opens a lock
- King: a man who rules a kingdom
- Kick: to hit with your foot
Bigger K words
- Kaleidoscope: a tube with mirrors that makes colorful patterns
- Kayak: a narrow boat you paddle
- Kernel: the inner part of a seed or nut
- Kindness: being friendly and caring
- Knowledge: what you know and understand
- Knight: a soldier in armor from the Middle Ages
- Kudos: praise for something you did
Words that start with W
Easy W words
- Water: what we drink
- Window: glass in a wall
- Whale: the biggest animal in the sea
- Wolf: a wild animal related to dogs
- Winter: the coldest season
- Wagon: a cart with wheels
- Waffle: a crispy cake with little squares
Bigger W words
- Walrus: a big sea animal with tusks
- Whisper: to talk very quietly
- Wisdom: good judgment that comes from experience
- Wizard: a person who does magic in stories
- Wombat: a small, sturdy Australian animal
- Wobble: to shake from side to side
- Wonder: a feeling of amazement
Words that start with Y
Easy Y words
- Yellow: the color of the sun in drawings
- Yo-yo: a toy that goes up and down a string
- Yak: a long-haired animal from Asia
- Yard: the grass area around a house
- Yawn: to open your mouth wide when sleepy
- Yummy: tastes very good
- Yesterday: the day before today
Bigger Y words
- Yacht: a fancy boat
- Yarn: thread used for knitting
- Yearn: to want something very much
- Yeti: a snow creature from Himalayan legends
- Yield: to give way, or the amount produced
- Yodel: to sing switching quickly between high and low notes
- Yolk: the yellow part of an egg
K, W and Y in word games
K, W and Y are hard letters in quick word games, where you need an answer for each category fast. Keep two or three words ready for the most common categories: names (Kevin, William, Yasmin), fruit (kiwi) and food (ketchup, waffle, yogurt).
PolarzinhoI once won a whole round with "kiwi" for fruit. Nobody else had it. I gave myself a standing ovation.
For a calmer kind of practice, Letter River gives you a clue and you drag across the letters on the board to spell the answer.
PolarzinhoNo guaranteed K, W or Y there, but there is a very relaxed otter. Fair trade.
FAQ
What is a fruit that starts with K?
Kiwi. Kumquat, a small citrus fruit, also works.
What animal starts with Y?
Yak. Yellowjacket, a kind of wasp, also starts with Y.
Why is the K silent in "knight"?
It used to be pronounced in older English. The sound disappeared over time, but the spelling stayed.
Your turn
Save this list for your next round of a word game and invite your friends to play below.