Grade

Kindergarten vocabulary words list

This beginner list gives kindergarten teachers and parents a simple set of words to introduce through pictures, songs, and hands-on play. It mixes everyday vocabulary with early math and reading terms so young learners build language across subjects.

30 words
WordMeaningIn a sentenceSave
happyadjectiveFeeling or showing pleasure, contentment, or a sense of well-being.The children were happy to spend the whole afternoon playing in the park.
sadadjectiveFeeling or showing unhappiness, sorrow, or disappointment about something that has happened.She felt sad after saying goodbye to her best friend at the airport.
bigadjectiveLarge in size, amount, degree, or importance, especially compared to what is typical.They moved into a big house with plenty of room for guests.
smalladjectiveLimited in size, amount, or extent compared with what is usual or expected.They live in a small apartment near the city center.
moredeterminerA greater or additional amount, degree, or number than before or than something else.Could I have more coffee before the meeting starts, please?
lessdeterminerA smaller amount, degree, or number than before or than something else being compared.We should spend less money on decorations and more on the actual event.
countverbTo determine the total number of items in a group by assigning numbers to them in order.She counted the coins twice to make sure the total was correct.
shapenounThe outward form or outline of something, as distinct from its color or material.The cookie cutter pressed the dough into the shape of a star.
circlenounA perfectly round, flat shape whose points are all the same distance from its center.The children held hands and formed a circle on the playground.
squarenounA flat shape with four equal straight sides and four right angles.He drew a square on the paper and measured each side carefully.
trianglenounA geometric shape with three straight sides and three angles.The teacher drew a triangle on the board to explain its three angles.
rhymenounA similarity of sound between the endings of words or lines, especially in poetry or song.The children's poem uses rhyme to make the lines easy to remember.
letternounA written or printed message sent from one person to another, usually by mail.She wrote a long letter to her grandmother describing her trip to Spain.
soundnounVibrations that travel through air or another medium and can be detected by the ear.The sound of distant thunder rolled across the valley before the rain began.
familynounA group of people related by blood, marriage, or close bonds, typically including parents and children.Three generations of the family gathered together for the holiday dinner this year.
friendnounA person one knows well, trusts, and enjoys spending time with, apart from family or romantic partners.She met her closest friend on the very first day of college.
shareverbTo give a portion of something to others, or to use, have, or experience something together with someone else.The children learned to share their toys during playtime at preschool.
colornounThe property of an object that produces a particular visual sensation because of the light it reflects or emits.The autumn leaves turned a brilliant color of orange and red almost overnight.
numbernounA mathematical value used for counting, measuring, or labeling, or a quantity of people or things.She wrote the phone number down before she could forget it.
addverbTo combine numbers or amounts to find their total, or to put something together with something else to increase it.If you add the numbers seven and five together, you get twelve.
morningnounThe early part of the day, lasting from sunrise until midday.I always go for a run early in the morning before work.
weathernounThe state of the atmosphere at a particular time and place, including temperature, wind, and rain.The weather turned cold and rainy just as the picnic was about to start.
seasonnounOne of the four main divisions of the year, such as spring or winter, marked by particular weather.Leaves change color every autumn, her favorite season of the year.
animalnounA living organism that can move independently and feeds on organic matter, distinct from plants.The zoo houses animals from every continent, including lions, penguins, and elephants.
plantnounA living organism, typically with leaves, roots, and stems, that grows in soil and produces its own food through photosynthesis.She watered the plant on her windowsill every morning before work.
communitynounA group of people who live in the same area or who share common interests, background, or identity.The local community came together to rebuild the playground after the storm.
alphabetnounA set of letters or symbols arranged in a fixed order and used to write a language.The English alphabet has twenty-six letters, running from A to Z.
patternnounAn arrangement or sequence in which parts repeat in a recognizable way.The tiles form a pattern of blue and white squares.
sortnounA category or type of person or thing that shares particular qualities with others.She's not the sort of person who gives up easily on a challenge.
wholeadjectiveComplete, entire, or including every part of something, with nothing missing.She ate the whole pizza by herself after skipping lunch.

Kindergarten math words

Kindergarten math vocabulary focuses on ideas children can see and touch before they use formal symbols. Words like more, less, count, and add describe comparing and combining small groups of objects, while shape, circle, square, and triangle help children name what they see around them. Practicing these words with real objects, such as blocks or snacks, makes the meaning concrete and easy to remember.

Frequently asked questions

What vocabulary words are important for kindergarten math?

Words such as count, add, more, less, shape, and pattern help kindergartners describe numbers and shapes before they use written math symbols.