List of 270 "TH" Words for Kids

Are you tired of hearing “fank you” instead of “thank you” or “dis” instead of “this” from your little one?

The ‘TH’ sound ranks among the most challenging speech sounds for children to master, often not fully developing until ages 6-8.

Yet this tricky sound appears in some of our most frequently used words—from basic pronouns like “this” and “that” to polite expressions like “thank you” and “three.”

Learning ‘TH’ words correctly isn’t just about clear pronunciation; it’s about building confidence in communication and preparing children for academic success.

When kids struggle with this sound, it can affect their reading fluency, spelling accuracy, and overall speech clarity. Many children substitute easier sounds like “f,” “d,” or “s,” which can persist without proper guidance and practice.

This comprehensive guide provides parents and teachers with practical tools for teaching ‘TH’ words effectively.

What Is the ‘TH’ Sound?

The ‘TH’ sound is created by placing your tongue tip lightly between your front teeth and pushing air through. It’s called a “fricative” sound because air flows continuously, creating a soft friction noise.

Two Types of ‘TH’ Sounds

Voiced ‘TH’ (as in this, that, the): Your vocal cords vibrate while making this sound. Place your hand on your throat—you’ll feel the vibration. This version sounds softer and buzzing.

Voiceless ‘TH’ (as in think, thumb, three): No vocal cord vibration occurs. This creates a breathy, whispered sound as air flows through your teeth.

Teaching the ‘TH’ Sound

Tongue Placement: Stick your tongue tip slightly between your front teeth, not too far out.

Gentle Airflow: Blow air softly while keeping your tongue in position—imagine blowing out a candle gently.

Mirror Practice: Let children watch their tongue placement in a mirror to ensure correct positioning and build awareness.

TH Words Organized by Syllables and Difficulty

Easy 2-Syllable Words

Thank You
This One
That One
Thir-ty
Think-ing
Thirs-ty
Thir-teen
Birth-day
Some-thing
Any-thing
Noth-ing
Ba-thing
Breath-ing
Cloth-ing
Mouth-ful
Youth-ful
Faith-ful
Truth-ful
Health-y
Wor-thy
Tooth-less
Breath-less
Worth-less
Smooth-ly
Strong-ly
Length-y
Ear-thy
Nor-thern
Sou-thern
Fur-ther

Easy 3-Syllable Words

Thir-ty-one
Thir-ty-two
Thir-ty-three
Thir-ty-four
Thir-ty-five
Thir-ty-six
Thir-ty-seven
Thir-ty-eight
Thir-ty-nine
Ever-y-thing
An-y-thing
Some-thing-else
Birth-day-cake
Thank-ful-ness
Health-i-ly
Wor-thi-ness
Faith-ful-ly
Truth-ful-ly
Youth-ful-ness
Breath-tak-ing
Tooth-brush-ing
Mouth-wa-ter
Un-der-neath
Al-to-geth-er
Weath-er-man
Feath-er-y
Leath-er-y
Gath-er-ing
Both-er-ing
Moth-er-ly

Easy 4-Syllable Words

Thir-ty-sev-en
Thir-ty-eight-y
Thank-ful-ness-es
Breath-tak-ing-ly
Un-der-neath-it
Al-to-geth-er-ness
Ev-ery-thing-else
Some-thing-a-bout
An-y-thing-goes
Noth-ing-mat-ters
Birth-day-par-ty
Tooth-brush-hold-er
Bath-room-tow-el
Math-e-mat-ics
Path-way-lead-ing
Youth-ful-appear-ance
Faith-ful-serv-ice
Truth-ful-an-swer
Health-y-eat-ing
Wor-thy-op-po-nent
Smooth-ly-run-ning
Length-y-dis-cus-sion
Nor-thern-ter-ri-to-ry
Sou-thern-hos-pi-tal-i-ty
Weath-er-fore-cast
Feath-er-y-tex-ture
Leath-er-y-sur-face
Gath-er-ing-to-geth-er
Both-er-ing-some-one
Moth-er-ly-ad-vice

Intermediate 2-Syllable Words

Thun-der
The-ory
Ther-mal
Ther-a-py
The-sis
Thea-ter
Thick-en
Thin-ner
Think-er
Thrill-er
Throt-tle
Thumb-tack
Thurs-day
Thy-roid
Weath-er
Leath-er
Feath-er
Gath-er
Rath-er
Fa-ther
Moth-er
Broth-er
An-oth-er
Wheth-er
Ei-ther
Nei-ther
Oth-er
Both-er
Lath-er
Heath-er

Intermediate 3-Syllable Words

Ther-a-pist
The-at-ri-cal
The-mat-ic
Thick-en-ing
Think-ing-cap
Thrill-ing-ly
Throt-tling-down
Thun-der-ous
Thurs-day-night
Thy-roid-ism
Weath-er-man
Leath-er-work
Feath-er-weight
Gath-er-ing
An-oth-er-one
Wheth-er-or-not
Ei-ther-way
Nei-ther-here
Oth-er-wise
Both-er-some
Be-neath-us
To-geth-er-ness
Fur-ther-more
Rath-er-than
Fa-ther-ly
Moth-er-hood
Broth-er-ly
Heath-er-field
Lath-er-ing
Smoth-er-ing

Intermediate 4-Syllable Words

Ther-a-peu-tic
The-at-ri-cal-ly
The-mat-i-cal-ly
Think-ing-proc-ess
Thrill-ing-ad-ven-ture
Thun-der-storm-cloud
Thy-roid-dys-func-tion
Weath-er-fore-cast-ing
Leath-er-work-ing-shop
Feath-er-weight-cham-pi-on
Gath-er-ing-to-geth-er
An-oth-er-op-por-tu-ni-ty
Wheth-er-we-like-it
Ei-ther-this-or-that
Nei-ther-here-nor-there
Oth-er-wise-known-as
Both-er-some-be-hav-ior
Be-neath-the-sur-face
To-geth-er-for-ev-er
Fur-ther-more-i-might-add
Rath-er-than-giv-ing-up
Fa-ther-ly-ad-vice-giv-en
Moth-er-hood-ex-pe-ri-ence
Broth-er-ly-af-fec-tion
Heath-er-field-mem-o-ries
Lath-er-ing-soap-bub-bles
Smoth-er-ing-with-kind-ness
Breath-ing-ex-er-cis-es
Cloth-ing-col-lec-tion
Birth-day-cel-e-bra-tion

Advanced 2-Syllable Words

Ther-mos
The-sis
Thes-is
Thy-mus
Meth-od
Py-thon
Rhy-thm
Au-thor
Ath-lete
Mam-moth
Men-thol
Pan-ther
Cath-ode
Path-way
Wor-thy
Em-path
Syn-thesis
Hy-poth-e-sis
Lab-y-rinth
Mar-a-thon
An-thol-o-gy
My-thol-o-gy
Path-ol-o-gy
Meth-od-ol-o-gy
An-thro-pol-o-gy
Ar-chae-ol-o-gy
Or-thog-ra-phy
Bi-og-ra-phy
Ge-og-ra-phy
Pho-tog-ra-phy

Advanced 3-Syllable Words

Ther-mom-e-ter
Ther-mo-stat
The-ol-o-gy
The-o-rem
The-o-rist
The-o-ry
Ther-a-py
Ther-mal-ly
Thor-ough-ly
Thought-ful-ness
Threat-en-ing
Thread-bare-ness
Three-fold-ed
Thresh-old-ing
Thrill-ing-ly
Through-out-it
Thun-der-bolt
Thun-der-storm
Thumb-print-ing
Em-pa-thy
Sym-pa-thy
A-pa-thy
Au-then-tic
A-rith-me-tic
Sym-pa-thet-ic
Em-pa-thet-ic
Path-o-log-i-cal
Meth-od-i-cal
Rhyth-mi-cal
Ath-let-ic

Advanced 4-Syllable Words

Ther-mo-dy-nam-ics
Ther-mo-nu-cle-ar
Ther-a-peu-tics
The-o-ret-i-cal
Ther-mo-e-lec-tric
Ther-mo-graph-ic
Ther-mo-reg-u-la-tion
Thor-ough-bred-ness
Thought-ful-ness-es
Thread-like-ap-pear-ance
Threat-en-ing-ly
Thrift-i-ness-qual-i-ty
Throm-bo-sis-con-di-tion
Thun-der-clap-sound
Thun-der-head-cloud
Thumb-screw-tight-en-ing
Thy-lak-oid-struc-ture
Hy-po-thet-i-cal
My-tho-log-i-cal
An-thro-po-log-i-cal
Ar-chae-o-log-i-cal
Or-tho-graph-i-cal
Bi-o-graph-i-cal
Ge-o-graph-i-cal
Pho-to-graph-i-cal
Phil-o-soph-i-cal
Phil-an-throp-i-cal
Path-o-gen-i-cal
Or-tho-pe-dic-al
Ther-a-peu-ti-cal

Fun Activities for Practicing ‘TH’ Sounds

Practicing TH sounds doesn’t have to be boring! These engaging activities make learning enjoyable while naturally building pronunciation skills.

Interactive Games

TH Word Bingo: Create bingo cards filled with TH words. Call out definitions while children mark matching words—first to complete a row wins!

TH Scavenger Hunt: Hide picture cards around the house. Kids search for items starting with the TH sound, like “thumb,” “thread,” or “thimble.”

TH Memory Match: Use pairs of TH word cards face down. Players flip two cards, reading words aloud. Matching pairs are kept—most pairs wins!

Storytelling

Create silly stories packed with TH words: “The thick thunder made three thieves think twice about their theft. They threw the thread through the thorn bush and thanked the thoughtful therapist.”

Songs and Rhymes

Try “Three Little Kittens” or create simple chants: “Thumb, thumb, thumbs up high! Think, think, think and try! Thank you, thank you, that’s the way! TH sounds help us every day!”

Tips for Correcting Common Mistakes

Children often substitute easier sounds for TH. These gentle correction strategies help guide proper pronunciation without frustration or pressure.

Common TH Sound Mistakes

F/V Substitution: Children often say “fink” instead of “think” or “vat” instead of “that.” This happens because F and V sounds are easier to produce.
D/T Substitution: Kids frequently replace TH with D or T sounds, saying “dis” for “this” or “tumb” for “thumb.” These sounds require similar tongue placement but are simpler.
S/Z Substitution: Some children use S or Z sounds, producing “sink” for “think” or “zat” for “that,” especially when speaking quickly.

Gentle Correction Strategies

Mirror Practice: Have children watch their tongue placement in a mirror. Show how the tongue tip gently touches between the teeth, not behind them like D or T sounds.
Visual Cues: Use hand gestures—stick your finger between lips to demonstrate tongue position. Create visual cards showing mouth placement.
Breath Awareness: Place a tissue in front of the mouth. For voiceless TH (think), the tissue should flutter with air flow. For voiced TH (this), less air movement occurs.
Positive Reinforcement: Praise attempts rather than focusing on mistakes. Say “Great try! Let’s make it even better” instead of “That’s wrong.”
Practice Pairs: Use minimal pair words like “think/fink” or “this/dis” to highlight the difference through repetition and contrast.

When to Seek Help

Most children master the TH sound between ages 4-8, with complete accuracy expected by age 8.

Consider consulting a speech-language pathologist if your child consistently struggles with TH sounds after age 6, shows frustration when speaking, or if TH errors significantly impact their speech clarity and social interactions at school.

Conclusion

Mastering the ‘TH’ sound represents a significant milestone in your child’s speech development.

The comprehensive word lists, engaging activities, and correction strategies provided in this guide offer multiple pathways to success.

Remember that every child develops at their own pace. Some may grasp TH sounds quickly through games and storytelling, while others need more time with mirror practice and gentle corrections.

The most important factors are maintaining a positive attitude, celebrating small victories, and making practice enjoyable rather than stressful.

Speech development is a process, not a race.

If concerns persist beyond age 6 or significantly impact daily communication, don’t hesitate to consult a speech-language pathologist for professional guidance.

List of 270 “TH” Words for Kids