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Words ending in en: a vocabulary list

Plenty of common English words end in the letters en, from simple nouns like kitten and garden to verbs like brighten and strengthen that turn an adjective into an action. This list is useful for spelling practice, phonics review, and noticing how the same ending can work differently across parts of speech.

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Words ending in en: a vocabulary list

37 words
WordMeaningIn a sentenceSave
happenverbTo occur or take place, especially without being planned in advance.Nobody expected the accident to happen so suddenly during rush hour.
listenverbTo give attention to sound in order to hear and understand it.Please listen carefully to the instructions before starting the test.
kittennounA young domestic cat, especially one still dependent on its mother.The kitten chased a ball of yarn across the living room floor.
gardennounA piece of land used for growing flowers, vegetables, or other plants.She spends every weekend tending carefully to her vegetable garden.
chickennounA common farm bird raised for its eggs and meat.The farmer kept a dozen chickens in a coop behind the barn.
goldenadjectiveHaving the bright yellow color or shine of gold, or representing an excellent, especially favorable period or quality.The fields turned golden as the wheat ripened in late summer.
brokenadjectiveDamaged, shattered, or no longer working as it should.The window was broken during the storm and needed to be replaced.
spokenadjectiveExpressed or communicated by speech rather than writing.The class focused on spoken English rather than grammar drills.
woodenadjectiveMade of wood, or, figuratively, stiff and lacking natural expression or feeling.The cabin had wooden floors that creaked with every step.
frozenadjectiveTurned into or covered with ice; extremely cold, or unable to move.The lake was completely frozen after weeks of freezing winter temperatures.
suddenadjectiveHappening or done quickly and unexpectedly, without warning.A sudden downpour sent everyone running for cover under the awning.
chosenadjectiveSelected from among several possibilities, especially after careful thought.Only the chosen few were invited backstage to meet the band.
hiddenadjectiveKept out of sight or not easily noticed or discovered.A hidden camera recorded everything that happened in the lobby.
sharpenverbTo make something have a fine edge or point, or to make a skill or sense more effective.He sharpened his pencil before starting the exam.
threatenverbTo express an intention to cause harm, punishment, or damage if a demand is not met.The landlord threatened to evict the tenants if the rent stayed unpaid another month.
strengthenverbTo make or become stronger, more powerful, or more effective.Regular exercise helped strengthen her legs after the knee injury healed.
widenverbTo make or become broader or wider.The city plans to widen the highway to ease the daily traffic jams.
brightenverbTo make or become lighter, more colorful, or more cheerful.Fresh paint and new curtains brightened the whole living room.
darkenverbTo make or become darker in color, light, or mood.Storm clouds began to darken the sky over the valley.
deepenverbTo make or become deeper, either physically or in intensity.Engineers deepened the channel so that larger ships could pass through.
flattenverbTo make something flat or level, or to knock something down completely.The workers used a heavy roller to flatten the newly laid asphalt road.
hardenverbTo become or make something stiff, solid, or unyielding, often through cooling or exposure.The clay will harden overnight if you leave it out in the dry air.
lengthenverbTo make something longer, or to become longer, in distance, size, or time.The tailor agreed to lengthen the trousers by two inches.
loosenverbTo make something less tight, firm, or fixed; to release from constraint.He loosened his tie after the long, hot ceremony finally ended.
moistenverbTo make something slightly wet, without soaking it.Lightly moisten the cloth before wiping down the wooden furniture.
softenverbTo make or become less hard, severe, or intense.Warm the butter to soften it before mixing it into the dough.
stiffenverbTo become or make rigid, firm, or less flexible.Her muscles began to stiffen after the long car ride.
tightenverbTo make something firmer, tauter, or more secure, or to become stricter.He tightened the bolts on the bicycle wheel before the long ride.
weakenverbTo make or become less strong, effective, or able to resist pressure.The medication is designed to weaken the virus so the immune system can fight it off.
worsenverbTo become worse, or to make something become worse.Her condition worsened overnight, so the doctors ran more tests.
kitchennounA room or area equipped for preparing and cooking food.We spent the afternoon baking cookies together in my grandmother's kitchen.
oxygennounA colorless, odorless gas in the air that humans and animals need to breathe in order to survive.Firefighters carried extra tanks of oxygen so they could breathe safely inside the smoke-filled building.
linennounA strong, light fabric made from the fibers of the flax plant, or household items made from it.She wore a crisp linen dress that kept her cool in the summer heat.
pollennounA fine powder produced by flowers, carried by wind or insects, that fertilizes other plants of the same species.Bees collect pollen from flowers as they move between blossoms.
sirennounA device or system that makes a loud, wailing sound as a warning or signal.The ambulance siren grew louder as it approached the intersection.
burdennounA heavy load, responsibility, or source of hardship that is difficult to carry or bear.Caring for both children and aging parents became a heavy burden for her.
childrennounThe plural form of child; young human beings, typically below the age of legal adulthood.The children played in the park until the sun began to set.

Verbs that end in en

Many verbs ending in en are formed by adding en to an adjective, which turns a description into an action. Widen means to make something wider, brighten means to make something brighter, and strengthen means to make something stronger. This pattern is a handy shortcut for building new verbs from words a reader already knows.

Nouns that end in en

Other words ending in en are simply nouns, with no adjective hiding inside them. Kitten, garden, kitchen, and siren all end in en but do not follow the make-it-more pattern of verbs like widen or harden. Reading these nouns alongside the verb group helps learners notice that the same ending can serve very different jobs.

Frequently asked questions

What are some common words that end in en?

Common examples include happen, listen, garden, broken, and verbs like strengthen and brighten that are formed by adding en to an adjective.