Test prep

Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test practice words

This list gives parents, teachers, and clinicians simple, everyday words in the style of Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test practice. Use them to talk with a child about pictures, point to real objects, or draw quick sketches to build receptive vocabulary in a low-pressure way.

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Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test practice words

Word	Meaning	In a sentence
applenoun	A round fruit with firm, crisp flesh and thin skin that grows on a tree.	She packed an apple and a sandwich for lunch.
ballnoun	A round object used in games and sports, typically thrown, hit, or kicked.	The children kicked the ball across the yard until it rolled into the street.
birdnoun	A warm-blooded animal with feathers, wings, and a beak that most often can fly.	A small bird landed on the windowsill and pecked curiously at the glass.
cupnoun	A small, open container with a handle, used for drinking liquids.	She wrapped both hands around the warm cup of tea to keep them from getting cold.
dognoun	A domesticated four-legged animal commonly kept as a pet or trained to work with people.	Our dog barked wildly at the mail carrier every single morning without fail.
hatnoun	A covering worn on the head for warmth, protection, fashion, or as part of a uniform.	He pulled his hat down low to shield his eyes from the sun.
jumpverb	To push off the ground using the legs and spring suddenly into the air.	The children loved to jump over the puddles after the rain.
keynoun	A small metal device shaped to open a lock, start an engine, or operate a mechanism.	She fumbled in her bag looking for the key to the front door.
kitenoun	A light frame covered with fabric or plastic, flown in the wind on a string.	The children ran along the beach trying to get their kite off the ground.
laddernoun	A structure of two long side rails joined by rungs, used for climbing up or down.	He set the ladder against the roof so he could clear leaves from the gutter.
lampnoun	A device that produces light, usually using electricity, oil, or gas, for a room or table.	She switched on the desk lamp so she could read after dark.
leafnoun	A flat, typically green part of a plant that grows from a stem and carries out photosynthesis.	Each autumn, the maple leaf outside my window turns from green to bright orange.
mittennoun	A glove that covers the four fingers together in one section and the thumb separately.	She pulled on wool mittens before heading out into the snow.
nestnoun	A structure built by a bird or other animal to hold its eggs or young.	A pair of robins built a nest in the gutter above our porch.
pencilnoun	A narrow writing or drawing instrument containing a graphite core encased in wood or plastic.	She sharpened her pencil before starting the sketch of the old bridge.
runverb	To move on foot at a speed faster than walking.	She runs five miles every morning before heading to work.
scissorsnoun	A hand tool with two pivoted blades used for cutting thin material such as paper or fabric.	She used the scissors to trim the edges of the wrapping paper neatly.
shoenoun	An outer covering for the foot, typically made of leather or another sturdy material.	She bought a new pair of running shoes for the marathon.
sleepverb	To rest in a natural state of reduced consciousness in which the body and mind are inactive.	The baby finally fell asleep after her mother sang to her for several minutes.
spoonnoun	A utensil with a shallow bowl and a handle, used for eating, serving, or stirring food.	She stirred her tea slowly with a small silver spoon.
swimverb	To move through water by moving the body, limbs, or fins.	The children learned to swim at the local pool every summer.
tablenoun	A piece of furniture with a flat top and legs, used for eating, working, or placing objects on.	We gathered around the table for a family dinner on Sunday evening.
treenoun	A tall woody plant with a single main trunk, branches, and leaves, typically living for many years.	The old oak tree in the backyard has provided shade for three generations of our family.
trucknoun	A large motor vehicle built to carry heavy loads or goods by road.	The truck delivered pallets of bottled water to the grocery store before dawn.
umbrellanoun	A folding device made of fabric stretched over a frame, carried to give protection from rain or sun.	She grabbed an umbrella on her way out as the sky darkened with clouds.
wagonnoun	A four-wheeled vehicle, often pulled by animals, used for carrying heavy loads.	Settlers packed their belongings into a wagon and headed west across the plains.
whistleverb	To make a clear, high-pitched sound by forcing air through pursed lips or a small instrument.	He whistled a cheerful tune as he walked down the street.
windownoun	An opening in a wall or vehicle, usually fitted with glass, that lets in light and air.	She opened the window to let the cool evening breeze into the room.
drumnoun	A percussion instrument consisting of a hollow body covered with a tight skin, struck to produce sound.	He kept the beat steady on the drum while the guitarist tuned up.
fencenoun	A barrier made of wood, wire, or metal that encloses or marks the boundary of an area.	The dog squeezed through a gap in the wooden fence and ran into the street.

What is the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test?

The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, often called the PPVT, is a widely used assessment of receptive vocabulary, meaning how well someone understands spoken words rather than how well they can say or spell them. During the test, an examiner says a word aloud and the person being tested points to the picture that best matches it from a small set of options on a page. It is commonly given to children but can be used across a broad span of ages, and is often administered by teachers, speech-language professionals, or psychologists as part of a wider language evaluation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test?

It's a receptive vocabulary assessment where the test-taker hears a word and points to the matching picture from several choices, often used to help evaluate language development.

What age range takes the PPVT?

It is designed to be usable across a broad span of ages, from young children through adults, though the exact age range and administration details are set by the test's publisher.