Grade 7 Word Definitions
Learn the meanings, pronunciations, and usage examples for 50 spelling words.
✓ 50 of 50 words have complete definitions
accurate
/ˈæk.jə.ɹɪt/adjectiveeasyDefinition:
Telling the truth or giving a true result; exact; not defective or faulty
Example:
“accurate knowledge”
acquiesce
/ˌækwiˈɛs/verbchallengingDefinition:
(with in (or sometimes with, to)) To rest satisfied, or apparently satisfied, or to rest without opposition and discontent (usually implying previous opposition or discontent); to accept or consent by silence or by omitting to object.
adolescent
/ˌædəˈlɛsənt/nounmediumDefinition:
A person who is in adolescence; someone who has reached puberty but is not yet an adult.
barrier
/ˈbæɹi.ə(ɹ)/nouneasyDefinition:
A structure that bars passage.
benevolent
/bəˈnɛvələnt/adjectivemediumDefinition:
Having a disposition to do good.
Example:
“Chinese and Eastern mythologies describe dragons as benevolent.”
bureaucracy
/bjʊəˈɹɒkɹəsi/nounchallengingDefinition:
Government by bureaus or their administrators or officers.
capsule
/ˈkæpsjuːl/nouneasyDefinition:
A membranous envelope.
catastrophe
/kəˈtæstɹəfi/nounmediumDefinition:
Any large and disastrous event of great significance
connoisseur
/ˌkɒnəˈsɜɹ/nounchallengingDefinition:
A specialist in a given field whose opinion is highly valued, especially in one of the fine arts or in matters of taste
deliberate
verbmediumDefinition:
To consider carefully; to weigh well in the mind.
Example:
“It is now time for the jury to deliberate the guilt of the defendant.”
dialect
/ˈdaɪ.əˌlɛkt/nouneasyDefinition:
A variety of a language that is characteristic of a particular area, community or social group, differing from other varieties of the same language in relatively minor ways as regards grammar, phonology, and lexicon.
discipline
/ˈdɪ.sə.plɪn/nounchallengingDefinition:
A controlled behaviour; self-control.
drought
[dɹʌʊt]nouneasyDefinition:
A period of unusually low rainfall, longer and more severe than a dry spell.
elaborate
/ɪˈlæbəɹeɪt/verbeasyDefinition:
To develop in detail or complexity
eloquent
/ˈɛl.əˌkwənt/adjectivemediumDefinition:
Fluently persuasive and articulate
entrepreneur
/ˌɒn.tɹə.pɹəˈnɜː/nounchallengingDefinition:
A person who organizes and operates a business venture and assumes much of the associated risk.
feasible
/ˈfiːzəbəl/adjectivemediumDefinition:
Able to be done in practice.
Example:
“His plan to rid Trafalgar Square of pigeons by bringing in peregrine falcons to eat them was dismissed as not feasible.”
feminine
/ˈfɛmənɪn/nouneasyDefinition:
That which is feminine.
gesture
/ˈdʒɛs.tʃɚ/nouneasyDefinition:
A motion of the limbs or body, especially one made to emphasize speech.
Example:
“The middle-finger gesture is really a nonverbal swear.”
grievance
/ˈɡɹi.vəns/nounmediumDefinition:
Something which causes grief.
harmony
/ˈhɑːməni/nouneasyDefinition:
Agreement or accord.
hierarchy
/ˈhaɪ.ə.ɹɑː(ɹ).ki/nounchallengingDefinition:
A body of authoritative officials organized in nested ranks.
hypothesis
/-əsəs/nounmediumDefinition:
Used loosely, a tentative conjecture explaining an observation, phenomenon or scientific problem that can be tested by further observation, investigation and/or experimentation. As a scientific term of art, see the attached quotation. Compare to theory, and quotation given there.
ignite
/ɪɡˈnaɪt/verbeasyDefinition:
To set fire to (something), to light (something)
immigrant
/ˈɪmɪɡɹənt/nounmediumDefinition:
A non-native person who comes to a country from another country in order to permanently settle there.
indict
/ˌɪnˈdaɪt/verbchallengingDefinition:
To accuse of wrongdoing; charge.
Example:
“a book that indicts modern values”
jeopardy
/ˈd͡ʒɛpədi/nounmediumDefinition:
Danger of loss, harm, or failure.
Example:
“The poor condition of the vehicle put its occupants in constant jeopardy.”
kindle
/ˈkɪndl/verbeasyDefinition:
To start (a fire) or light (a torch, a match, coals, etc.).
laboratory
/ləˈbɔɹətɹi/nounmediumDefinition:
A room, building or institution equipped for scientific research, experimentation or analysis.
liaison
nounchallengingDefinition:
Communication between two parties or groups.
mediocre
/ˈmiːdɪˌəʊkə/nounchallengingDefinition:
A person of minor significance, accomplishment or acclaim; a common and undistinguished person.
meticulous
adjectivemediumDefinition:
Characterized by very precise, conscientious attention to details.
migrate
/maɪ.ˈɡɹeɪt/verbeasyDefinition:
To relocate periodically from one region to another, usually according to the seasons.
Example:
“Twice a year the Minnesotans migrate from their state to the Gulf of Mexico.”
notable
/ˈnəʊtəbl̩/nouneasyDefinition:
A person or thing of distinction.
notorious
/nəʊˈtɔːɹɪəs/adjectivemediumDefinition:
Widely known, especially for something negative; infamous.
oblige
/əˈblaɪdʒ/verbeasyDefinition:
To constrain someone by force or by social, moral or legal means.
Example:
“I am obliged to report to the police station every week.”
obsolete
/ˈɒbsəliːt/adjectivemediumDefinition:
(of words, equipment, etc.) No longer in use; gone into disuse; disused or neglected (often by preference for something newer, which replaces the subject).
Example:
“It is speculated that, within a few years, the Internet's speedy delivery of news worldwide will make newspapers obsolete.”
perpetual
/pəˈpɛtjʊəl/adjectivemediumDefinition:
Lasting forever, or for an indefinitely long time
portray
/pɔɹˈtɹeɪ/verbeasyDefinition:
To paint or draw the likeness of.
Example:
“I will portray a king on horseback.”
quench
/kwɛnt͡ʃ/nouneasyDefinition:
The abnormal termination of operation of a superconducting magnet, occurring when part of the superconducting coil enters the normal (resistive) state.
questionnaire
/ˌk(w)estjəˈnɛə/nounchallengingDefinition:
A form containing a list of questions; a means of gathering information for a survey
quotient
/ˈkwəʊʃənt/nounmediumDefinition:
The number resulting from the division of one number by another.
Example:
“The quotient of 12 divided by 4 is 3.”
resilient
adjectivemediumDefinition:
(of objects or substances) Returning quickly to original shape after force is applied; elastic.
retrieve
/ɹiˈtɹiv/nouneasyDefinition:
A retrieval
spontaneous
/spɒnˈteɪ.ni.əs/adjectivemediumDefinition:
Self-generated; happening without any apparent external cause.
Example:
“He made a spontaneous offer of help.”
subtle
/ˈsʌt(ə)l/adjectiveeasyDefinition:
Hard to grasp; not obvious or easily understood; barely noticeable.
Example:
“The difference is subtle, but you can hear it if you listen carefully.”
treaty
/ˈtɹiːti/nouneasyDefinition:
A binding agreement concluded by subjects of international law, namely states and international organizations.
turbulent
/ˈtɜːbjələnt/adjectivemediumDefinition:
Violently disturbed or agitated; tempestuous, tumultuous
Example:
“It is dangerous to sail in turbulent seas.”
versatile
/ˈvɝsətl̩/adjectivemediumDefinition:
Capable of doing many things competently.
vivid
/ˈvɪvɪd/nouneasyDefinition:
A felt-tipped permanent marker.
Showing all 50 words
Grade 7 words at a glance
Academic vocabulary from Latin, and French words that kept their original spelling.
| Grade | Typical age | Words | Easy | Medium | Challenging |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | 6–7 | 50 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| Grade 2 | 7–8 | 50 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| Grade 3 | 8–9 | 50 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| Grade 4 | 9–10 | 50 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| Grade 5 | 10–11 | 50 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| Grade 6 | 11–12 | 50 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| Grade 7 | 12–13 | 50 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| Grade 8 | 13–14 | 100 | 40 | 40 | 20 |
| High School | 14–18 | 100 | 40 | 40 | 20 |
Getting the most out of a definition
- Read the meaning before you spell. A word you understand is far easier to remember than a string of letters.
- Say it aloud. Most misspellings come from a sound the speller never heard clearly in the first place.
- Cover it and write it. Recall is the skill a bee tests; recognition is not.
- Use it in a sentence about your own day. Words attached to something real stay put.
Why Learn Word Definitions?
Understanding word meanings enhances spelling skills and vocabulary development.
Improved Comprehension
Knowing what words mean helps you understand what you read and hear. This deeper comprehension improves overall language skills.
Better Spelling
Understanding a word's meaning and context makes it easier to remember its spelling, especially for words with similar sounds but different meanings.
Enhanced Writing
A rich vocabulary allows you to express your ideas more precisely and effectively in writing, making your communication more powerful.
Where to go from a definition
Knowing what a word means is half of it. These turn the meaning into recall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Grade 7 spelling bee words?
Grade 7 spelling bee words are carefully selected vocabulary terms appropriate for students aged 12-13 years. Our comprehensive list includes 50 words categorized by difficulty level (easy, medium, and challenging) to support progressive learning and spelling bee preparation.
How can word definitions help with spelling?
Understanding a word's definition provides crucial context that makes spelling more intuitive and memorable. When students know what a word means and how it's used in sentences, they're more likely to remember its correct spelling. Definitions also help distinguish between homophones (words that sound alike but have different spellings and meanings), reducing common spelling errors.
Are these Grade 7 words suitable for spelling bee competitions?
They are a good place to practice. Our Grade 7 list is pitched at the vocabulary range typically expected at this grade level and includes pronunciation guides, so working through these 50 words will help with classroom spelling tests and school bees. It is our own list, not an official competition list — for regional and national rounds, use it alongside the official Scripps study material.
What information is included with each word definition?
Every word has a definition and a part of speech, and almost all have a phonetic pronunciation guide with audio. Most also carry an example sentence showing the word in use, and some list synonyms and antonyms where the dictionary provides them. Coverage of those last three varies by word.
How should students use these word definitions for study?
For effective studying, students should: (1) Read the definition to understand the word's meaning, (2) Study the pronunciation guide and practice saying the word aloud, (3) Review the example sentence to see how it's used in context, (4) Cover the word and try to spell it from memory, (5) Use the word in their own original sentences, and (6) Explore the synonyms to build vocabulary connections. Regular practice sessions of 10-15 minutes are more effective than long, infrequent study periods.
What makes Grade 7 vocabulary different from other grade levels?
Grade 7 vocabulary is specifically calibrated for the cognitive and linguistic development of 12-13-year-old students. The words introduce age-appropriate concepts, spelling patterns, and complexity levels that build upon previous grades while preparing students for the next level. Our difficulty categorization (easy, medium, challenging) allows students to progress at their own pace within the grade level.
The Grade 7 Spelling Bee Kit
This definitions page stays free forever. The kit is what comes next — 50 words worked all the way through, 47 printable pages, ready in one download.
- Every word with a definition, example sentence & pronunciation
- Cut-and-go flashcard deck, printed for double-sided flipping
- Trace-and-write, fill-in-the-blank & scramble worksheets + answer key
- Parent/teacher guide with a pronouncer script, tracker & certificate