CVC Words

Short I CVC Words

The short i sound (ɪ) is the sound in words like pig. There are 52 short i CVC words in our list, and every one of them follows the consonant-vowel-consonant pattern: a consonant, then this one short vowel, then a consonant.

Because there is only one vowel to learn, short i is the easiest place to start. Children who can blend three sounds with a single vowel sound can read a surprising number of English words, because short i makes up the largest group of simple three-letter words in the language.

Quick tip: say the three sounds stretched apart first (— b–… i… g), then say them faster until they blend into one word. Blending is the real skill; decoding the letters is just the tool.

All 52 Short I CVC Words

big - adjectives big /bɪɡ/ A big house. adjectives
bid - actions bid /bɪd/ Bid on the item. actions
bin - objects bin /bɪn/ Put it in the bin. objects
bit - actions bit /bɪt/ A bit of food. actions
dig - actions dig /dɪɡ/ Dig a hole. actions
dim - adjectives dim /dɪm/ Dim light. adjectives
dip - actions dip /dɪp/ Dip the bread in sauce. actions
fin - animals fin /fɪn/ Shark fin. animals
fit - actions fit /fɪt/ The shoes fit well. actions
gin - food gin /dʒɪn/ Gin and tonic. food
him - pronouns him /hɪm/ Give it to him. pronouns
hip - body hip /hɪp/ Hip pain. body
hit - actions hit /hɪt/ Hit the ball. actions
kid - people kid /kɪd/ The kid plays. people
kit - objects kit /kɪt/ First aid kit. objects
lid - objects lid /lɪd/ Put the lid on. objects
lip - body lip /lɪp/ Lip balm. body
lit - actions lit /lɪt/ He lit the candle. actions
mid - adjectives mid /mɪd/ Mid afternoon. adjectives
mix - actions mix /mɪks/ Mix the ingredients. actions
nip - actions nip /nɪp/ The dog might nip. actions
pig - animals pig /pɪɡ/ The pig rolled in mud. animals
pin - objects pin /pɪn/ Pin it up. objects
pit - objects pit /pɪt/ A deep pit. objects
rid - actions rid /rɪd/ Get rid of it. actions
rig - objects rig /rɪɡ/ Oil rig. objects
rip - actions rip /rɪp/ Don't rip the paper. actions
sip - actions sip /sɪp/ Sip your tea. actions
sit - actions sit /sɪt/ Sit down please. actions
tin - objects tin /tɪn/ A tin of beans. objects
tip - actions tip /tɪp/ Tip the waiter. actions
wig - objects wig /wɪɡ/ Wear a wig. objects
win - actions win /wɪn/ Win the game. actions
zip - actions zip /zɪp/ Zip up your coat. actions
kick - actions kick /kɪk/ Kick the ball. actions
lick - actions lick /lɪk/ Lick the ice cream. actions
pick - actions pick /pɪk/ Pick a card. actions
sick - adjectives sick /sɪk/ Feel sick. adjectives
tick - actions tick /tɪk/ Tick the box. actions
wick - objects wick /wɪk/ Candle wick. objects
fill - actions fill /fɪl/ Fill the glass. actions
gill - animals gill /ɡɪl/ Fish gills. animals
hill - nature hill /hɪl/ Climb the hill. nature
mill - objects mill /mɪl/ Old water mill. objects
pill - objects pill /pɪl/ Take a pill. objects
sill - objects sill /sɪl/ Window sill. objects
dish - objects dish /dɪʃ/ Wash the dish. objects
fish - animals fish /fɪʃ/ Catch a fish. animals
wish - actions wish /wɪʃ/ Make a wish. actions
hiss - actions hiss /hɪs/ Snake hiss. actions
kiss - actions kiss /kɪs/ A goodbye kiss. actions
miss - actions miss /mɪs/ I miss you. actions

Short I Word Guides

Every word above has its own page with the picture, the sounds, example sentences and spelling tips.

big bid bin bit dig dim dip fin fit gin him hip hit kid kit lid lip lit mid mix nip pig pin pit rid rig rip sip sit tin tip wig win zip kick lick pick sick tick wick fill gill hill mill pill sill dish fish wish hiss kiss miss

How to Teach Short I CVC Words

Step 1 — Learn the sound, not the letter

Point to the letter I and say its sound, not its name. The letter name “ay” and the sound “ɪ” are not the same thing, and confusing the two is the single biggest cause of slow, decoding-by-guess reading later on.

Step 2 — Blend in threes

Give the child three sounds and ask them to push them together. Use the flashcards from our CVC flash card set, or write the sounds in three boxes and have the child cover them up one at a time while blending.

Step 3 — Work with one family at a time

Short i contains 11 word families. Start with -ick, read six or seven words from it, then contrast it with a neighbouring family. Children learn faster when they can hear what is the same and what is different.

Step 4 — Read it in a sentence

Words read in isolation are much harder than words read in context. Use our simple CVC sentences so the child sees the word doing something.

Short I Word Families

Each family below with its own page has the full word list, teaching order and practice activities.

-ick -id -ig -ill -in -ip -ish -iss -it

Smaller i families (-im, -ix) are listed on the full CVC word list page.

Other Short Vowels

Compare the five short vowel sounds side by side:

Short I CVC Words FAQ

How many short i CVC words are there?

Our list contains 52 short i CVC words. You can browse them all in the grid above, or open any word that has a picture and a full guide.

What is the difference between short i and the long I sound?

Short i makes a clipped, relaxed sound (ɪ) and always sits between two consonants, as in pig. The long I sound is held for roughly twice as long and usually has a silent e at the end, as in cane or cube. CVC words never use the long sound.

Which short i words should my child learn first?

Begin with the family that has the most familiar picture words and the clearest ending sound. For short i that is usually the -ick family. Practise six to eight words from it until blending is automatic, then move on.

Can I print a short i word list?

Yes — the full list of 52 words is printed above and you can print the page directly. For a larger printable set across all five vowels, use the CVC word list page or the worksheets page.

Related Resources