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What are Tier 2 Vocabulary Words?
Have you found yourself asking, “What is a tier 2 vocabulary word?” If so, then I’ve got you covered in this blog post because we’ll be discussing tier 2 vocabulary words as well as tier 1 words and tier 3 words.
Tier 2 words are words that are high-frequency words that are frequently seen in an academic setting across multiple different subjects.
They are words that are used by native speakers but are more difficult words which makes them words that need to be explicitly taught and learned.
Tier 2 words aren’t used in spoken language as frequently as tier 1 words and therefore can be more challenging to learn for students.
Examples of Tier 2 Words
For example, the words benefit, annual, and afford are all tier 2 words.
What are Tier 1 Vocabulary Words?
On the other hand tier 1 words are extremely common words, such as nouns and verbs that require minimal or no explicit teaching of their meanings.
These basic words are words that most native speakers can acquire simply through their daily experiences, such as reading or an everyday conversation with others.
These high-frequency words are typically root words with no prefix or suffix making their meanings very basic.
Examples of Tier 1 Words
For example, the words red, help, and look are all tier 1 words.
What are Tier 3 Vocabulary Words?
Lastly, tier 3 words are low-frequency words that are used in specific domains.
A specific domain or subject-specific area includes subjects in school, occupations, hobbies, etc.
Tier 3 words are central to a specific subject and should be taught within the context of that subject or domain.
Examples of Tier 3 Words
For example, the words algorithm and absolute value are all in the math content areas for tier 3 words.
Vocabulary Instruction
When thinking about vocabulary development and what academic vocabulary words to teach your students focusing on tier 2 words is a great place to start.
With tier 1 words being common sight words that are frequently learned through daily experiences and with tier 3 words being low-frequency words that are domain specific it would be best to focus on tier 2 words.
Since tier 2 words are still considered high-frequency words unlike tier 3 words and need explicit instruction unlike tier 1 words it makes them the perfect set of academic words to focus on when thinking about which vocabulary words to teach this school year.
Focusing on tier 2 words is also a great idea for English language learners since these words are frequently used across multiple school subjects and different contexts.
SEE ALSO: 430+ Free Multisyllabic Words List Activity Bundle
Grade Level: List of Tier 2 Vocabulary Words
Here is a list of words by grade level for working on tier 2 vocabulary words. With a high frequency of use tier 2 words make a great academic word list to work through.
Kindergarten: Early Grades
| age | giggle | race |
| appear | glance | reach |
| artist | glossy | relax |
| autumn | glow | rotten |
| bay | goal | round |
| beak | gust | row |
| bloom | half | sail |
| bumpy | healthy | scene |
| burst | herd | scrub |
| buzz | hoof | shade |
| care | include | shaky |
| check | invitation | ship |
| chilly | knight | shore |
| chore | laundry | silky |
| comfort | lazy | sink |
| community | leaf | slide |
| country | leak | slip |
| covered | library | sniff |
| cradle | market | soapy |
| dangle | melt | sparkle |
| decision | miserable | spotted |
| delicious | month | spring |
| dentist | muddy | stare |
| dew | museum | summer |
| disappear | note | supplies |
| drawer | pace | tangled |
| dusty | pair | tent |
| edge | patient | tomorrow |
| farmer | peaceful | trade |
| fear | peck | trunk |
| firefly | pilot | warm |
| fix | plan | wave |
| flipper | pointy | week |
| fluffy | polite | wiggle |
| follow | pond | winter |
| gallop | president | wish |
| gentle | protect | yesterday |
| giggle | proud | young |
Tier 2 Vocabulary Words First Graders
| ache | fancy | problem |
| adjust | fascinating | promise |
| affordable | fasten | protect |
| alarm | feast | proud |
| alone | filthy | question |
| annoy | flat | rapid |
| apologize | flee | reminds |
| appetite | focus | remove |
| applause | fog | repeat |
| artistic | footprint | report |
| atmosphere | forest | rescue |
| attach | freezing | restart |
| attention | frustrated | return |
| bashful | gather | rhyme |
| basket | giant | ripe |
| batch | glad | rise |
| behave | gleaming | roar |
| belong | glum | rough |
| bend | grab | rusty |
| blink | grateful | scold |
| blush | grin | scratch |
| bolt | grip | searching |
| borrow | groan | seed |
| bundle | grumpy | selfish |
| cabin | hatch | serious |
| caterpillar | heap | shell |
| caution | hide | shovel (verb) |
| cave | hobby | shriek |
| celebrate | honest | sibling |
| centaur | howl | silent |
| champion | huge | simple |
| chat | ignore | slippery |
| cheat | illustrator | sly |
| chimney | important | sneaky |
| comfortable | injury | sob |
| compass | instead | special |
| complain | investigate | spiral |
| conductor | invite | splendid |
| consequences | jealous | spotless |
| construct | knob | sprinkle |
| costume | leader | squirm |
| cozy | list | startle |
| cranky | listen | steep |
| crash | lively | stomped |
| creak | loosen | stormy |
| croak | lovely | striped |
| crowded | mask | suddenly |
| cue | measuring | suggestion |
| curve | miserable | surprise |
| daily | misty | surround |
| dainty | modern | switch |
| dart | mountain | terrified |
| decide | mumble | thick |
| decorate | narrow | thunder |
| delighted | negative | ticket |
| denied | nervous | timid |
| deserve | nibbled | transportation |
| directions | note | travel |
| disappointed | notice | trust |
| discover | obey | uncomfortable |
| divide | observing | upset |
| dodge | opposite | warning |
| drenched | ordinary | weed |
| drowsy | pain | whimper |
| embarrassed | passenger | whirl |
| enormous | pattern | wicked |
| equal | pest | wonder |
| exclaim | polish | worried |
| exhausted | positive | yank |
| expensive | precious | |
| explore | prefer | |
| fair | pretend |
Tier 2 Vocabulary Words Second Grade
| accident | dozen | observe |
| agree | drowsy | ocean |
| amaze | earth | opinion |
| amusing | edit | pack |
| analyze | effect | pale |
| annoy | enemy | parade |
| arranged | energy | past |
| arrive | enormous | peak |
| astronomy | escape | peeking |
| atlas | estimate | plan |
| attention | evening | planet |
| avoid | exactly | poke |
| award | excess | predict |
| aware | exercise | prefer |
| balance | expect | present |
| banner | factory | process |
| bare | fair | proof |
| base | famous | publish |
| beach | feast | records |
| besides | field | reflect |
| blast | finally | revise |
| board | flap | rumor |
| bounce | float | safe |
| brain | flock | scholar |
| branch | flood | seal |
| brave | fold | search |
| bright | fresh | separate |
| cage | friendly | settle |
| calf | frighten | share |
| calm | frown | shelter |
| career | fuel | shiver |
| cause | gap | shy |
| center | gasp | similar |
| cheer | gather | skill |
| chew | gaze | slight |
| classify | gift | smooth |
| claw | gravity | soil |
| clear | greedy | stack |
| cliff | gust | steady |
| club | harm | steaming |
| collect | helpful | stormy |
| community | herd | strand |
| conclusion | Idea | stream |
| connect | include | sum |
| continue | insect | support |
| cooperation | insist | suppose |
| core | instrument | sway |
| corner | invent | swoop |
| couple | investigate | team |
| crowd | island | telescope |
| curious | label | tiny |
| cycle | leader | tower |
| damp | leaned | travel |
| dangerous | leap | treasure |
| dash | living | tremble |
| data | lizard | universe |
| dawn | local | vanish |
| deep | lonely | village |
| demolish | luxury | volunteer |
| describe | march | warn |
| design | matter | weak |
| detail | mention | wealthy |
| diagram | moist | whisper |
| difference | motor | wise |
| different | necessary | wonder |
| discard | nervous | worry |
| discover | net | yard |
| dive | nibble | zigzag |
| dome | non-living | |
| doubt | notice |
Tier 2 Vocabulary Words Third Grade
| ability | doze | peer |
| absorb | drift | perform |
| accuse | effect | persuade |
| act | elect | pleasant |
| active | elegant | plunge |
| actual | enable | prank |
| additional | endangered | predator |
| adopt | event | predict |
| advantage | examine | prevent |
| advice | example | primary |
| agreeable | experience | privilege |
| ambition | explore | process |
| ancient | fan | purpose |
| approach | fatal | rare |
| arctic | fierce | rate |
| argue | flexible | recall |
| arrange | flutter | recognize |
| assist | fortunate | region |
| attitude | frail | rely |
| attract | furious | remark |
| average | gasp | repair |
| avoid | gathered | resident |
| bold | gist | respect |
| border | glide | responsible |
| brief | globe | reverse |
| brilliant | grace | revive |
| cable | gradual | ridiculous |
| capture | grasp | risk |
| careless | habit | scar |
| cause | harsh | scatter |
| certain | Imitate | schedule |
| chill | individual | sensitive |
| clever | infer | shiver |
| climate | intelligent | signal |
| cling | intend | similar |
| coast | invitation | slumber |
| compare | irritate | solution |
| confess | journey | spoil |
| consider | launch | starve |
| construct | limit | steer |
| contain | locate | struggled |
| continent | loyal | stumble |
| contrast | magnificent | suitable |
| convince | marine | survey |
| coward | marsh | swift |
| credit | mend | symbol |
| crew | method | tackle |
| crumple | misery | talent |
| culture | moisture | tentacle |
| custom | multiply | theory |
| dangle | mural | thrill |
| decay | mystify | treasure |
| deed | nation | triumph |
| defend | nectar | typical |
| delicate | nervous | unite |
| describe | nursery | unusual |
| details | observe | value |
| develop | occur | vehicle |
| device | opponent | vision |
| diagram | opposite | volunteer |
| digest | ordeal | wander |
| disappointed | origin | wisdom |
| disease | outcome | wit |
| distant | passage | woe |
| division | pastime | |
| doze | patient | |
| drift | pause |
Tier 2 Vocabulary Words Fourth Grade
| accomplish | develop | outstanding |
| accurate | difference | passage |
| adaptation | disappointed | peculiar |
| address | disaster | peer |
| afford | disclose | permit |
| alert | distract | persuade |
| analyze | distress | plead |
| ancestor | distribute | plentiful |
| annual | dusk | pointless |
| apparent | eager | portion |
| approached | ease | practice |
| appropriate | effective | precious |
| arena | eliminate | predict |
| argued | entertain | prefer |
| arrest | entire | prepare |
| ascend | entrance | previous |
| assist | envy | proceed |
| attempt | essential | purpose |
| attentive | estimate | queasy |
| attractive | evidence | rarely |
| automatically | example | reason |
| avoid | except | recent |
| awkward | exclaimed | recognize |
| baggage | experiment | recommend |
| basic | extraordinary | reduce |
| benefit | flexible | release |
| blend | focus | represent |
| blossom | fortunate | request |
| border | fragile | resist |
| burrow | frantic | response |
| calculate | frequent | result |
| capable | frontier | reveal |
| captivity | furious | routine |
| carefree | generosity | scarce |
| cause | hail | select |
| century | hardship | separate |
| chamber | heroic | severe |
| circular | host | shabby |
| coax | humble | shallow |
| column | impact | simplify |
| communicate | increase | sole |
| compare | indicate | source |
| competition | infer | sturdy |
| complete | inform | summarize |
| concentrate | insert | support |
| concern | inspire | surface |
| conclude | instant | surround |
| confirm | invisible | survive |
| confuse | jagged | temporary |
| congratulate | lack | terror |
| considerable | limb | threat |
| content | limp | threatens |
| contrast | manufacture | tidy |
| contribute | master | tour |
| convince | mature | tradition |
| crafty | maximum | tragic |
| create | meadow | typical |
| critical | minimum | usually |
| decrease | mistrust | vacant |
| defend | mock | valiant |
| demonstrate | modest | variety |
| descend | noble | vast |
| describe | observe | venture |
| desire | obvious | weary |
| destructive | orchard | |
| detail | organized |
Tier 2 Vocabulary Words Fifth Grade
| abolish | endanger | ordinary |
| absurd | equivalent | overthrow |
| abuse | escalate | pardon |
| access | escalate | passage |
| accomplish | establish | pasture |
| accurate | evade | pedestrian |
| achievement | evaluate | perish |
| aggressive | evidence | persuade |
| alternate | exasperate | petrify |
| altitude | excavate | portable |
| announce | exert | prefix |
| antagonist | exhaust | preserve |
| antonym | exhibit | primary |
| anxious | expansion | protagonist |
| apparent | expectation | provide |
| approach | explain | purchase |
| approval | express | realistic |
| approximate | extend | reassure |
| argument | exult | recently |
| aroma | familiar | reference |
| assume | feeble | reign |
| astound | frequent | reliable |
| available | frigid | require |
| avalanche | gigantic | resemble |
| avoid | gist | retain |
| banquet | glare | retire |
| beverage | gorge | revert |
| bland | guardian | review |
| blizzard | harsh | revolt |
| briskly | hazy | route |
| budge | hearty | saunter |
| bungle | heroic | scarce |
| cautiously | hesitate | seldom |
| cease | hilarious | senseless |
| challenge | historic | sever |
| character | homonym | significant |
| claim | horizontal | slither |
| combine | hostile | sluggish |
| companion | huddle | soar |
| compassion | identical | solitary |
| compensate | identify | solo |
| comply | illegible | source |
| compose | illuminate | sparse |
| concept | immense | spurt |
| conclude | immigrate | strategy |
| confident | impressive | suffix |
| conflict | independent | suffocate |
| consistent | industrious | summarize |
| context | influence | summit |
| convert | intense | superior |
| convince | intercept | suspend |
| course | investigate | synonym |
| courteous | jubilation | talon |
| crave | kin | taunt |
| culture | luxurious | tension |
| debate | major | thrifty |
| decade | miniature | tolerate |
| decline | minor | translate |
| dedicate | mischief | tremble |
| deprive | monarch | tropical |
| detect | moral | unexpected |
| dictate | myth | unfamiliar |
| dissatisfied | narrator | vertical |
| document | navigate | visible |
| dominate | negative | visual |
| drowsy | nonchalant | vivid |
| duplicate | numerous | wilderness |
| edible | oasis | withdraw |
| effortless | obsolete | |
| endanger | occasion | |
| equivalent | opposed |
Tier 2 Vocabulary Words Sixth Grade
| abandon | domestic | negotiate |
| abundant | dominate | obedient |
| access | drastic | objective |
| accommodate | duration | oblivious |
| accumulate | dwell | obstacle |
| adapt | eclipse | omniscient |
| adequate | economy | onset |
| adhere | eerie | optimist |
| adjacent | effect | origin |
| agony | efficient | originate |
| allegiance | elaborate | painstaking |
| ambition | eligible | paraphrase |
| ample | elude | parody |
| analyze | encounter | peculiar |
| anguish | encourage | persecute |
| anticipate | equation | persuade |
| anxious | equivalent | plummet |
| apparel | erupt | possess |
| appeal | esteem | poverty |
| apprehensive | evaluate | precise |
| appropriate | evolve | predicament |
| arid | exaggerate | predict |
| arrogant | excel | prejudice |
| artifact | exclude | preliminary |
| awe | exhaust | primitive |
| barren | expanse | priority |
| beacon | exploit | prominent |
| beneficial | expression | propel |
| benefit | extend | prosecute |
| blunder | extensive | prosper |
| boisterous | extinct | provoke |
| boycott | extract | pursue |
| burden | factor | quest |
| calculate | ferocious | quote |
| campaign | former | realistic |
| capacity | formulates | recount |
| capital | frequent | refuge |
| catastrophe | fuse | reinforce |
| chronological | futile | reluctant |
| citizen | generate | remorse |
| civic | genre | remote |
| civilization | genuine | repetition |
| clarity | government | resolute |
| collaborate | habitat | restrain |
| collide | hazardous | retaliate |
| commend | history | retrieve |
| commentary | hoax | rigorous |
| compact | hostile | rural |
| compose | hypothesis | salvage |
| composure | idiom | sanctuary |
| concise | ignite | siege |
| conclusion | immense | significant |
| congruent | improvises | similar |
| consent | inept | solar |
| consequence | inevitable | solution |
| conserve | influence | soothe |
| conspicuous | ingenious | stationary |
| constant | innovation | stifle |
| construct | insists | strategy |
| contaminate | intimidate | strive |
| context | irrigate | subordinate |
| continuous | jovial | subsequent |
| contrast | knack | substitute |
| contribute | leeway | superior |
| controversy | legislation | supplement |
| convenient | leisure | suspense |
| cope | liberate | swarm |
| cordial | likeness | tangible |
| cultivate | linger | tentative |
| cumulative | literal | terminate |
| declare | loathe | terrain |
| deluge | lofty | thesis |
| democracy | lure | trait |
| dense | majority | transfer |
| deplete | makeshift | transform |
| deposit | manipulate | transport |
| designate | marvel | treacherous |
| desperate | massive | unanimous |
| deteriorate | maximum | unique |
| dialogue | meager | unruly |
| diligent | mere | urban |
| dimension | migration | vacate |
| diminish | mimic | variable |
| discretion | minute | verdict |
| dissent | monotonous | verge |
| dissolve | narrate | vibrant |
| distinct | vital | |
| diversity | vow |
Tier 2 Vocabulary Words Seventh Grade
| abate | devious | notify |
| abdicate | devour | notorious |
| abnormal | dishearten | nurture |
| abode | dismal | obnoxious |
| abrasive | dismantle | omit |
| abrupt | distraught | opposition |
| accelerate | diversity | oppress |
| acclaim | docile | oration |
| acknowledge | downright | orthodox |
| acquire | drone | overwhelm |
| acrid | dumbfound | pamper |
| addict | eligible | patronize |
| adequate | emblem | peevish |
| adjacent | emphasize | pelt |
| admonish | endure | pending |
| affiliation | ensue | perceive |
| affliction | enthrall | perjury |
| agitate | epidemic | permanent |
| ajar | erode | persist |
| akin | estimate | persuasive |
| allege | evaluate | perturb |
| allocate | exonerated | pique |
| alternative | exposition | pluck |
| amendment | exuberant | poised |
| annihilate | exuberant | ponder |
| anonymous | famished | potential |
| antagonize | fathom | predatory |
| apathy | feud | prediction |
| arbitrate | figment | presume |
| aspire | firebrand | preview |
| astute | flabbergast | prior |
| attribute | flagrant | prominent |
| authentic | flaw | prospective |
| avert | formidable | prowess |
| bamboozle | fruitless | punctual |
| belligerent | gaudy | quench |
| bellow | geography | quote |
| beseech | gratify | radiant |
| bestow | gravity | random |
| bewilder | grim | rant |
| bias | grueling | recede |
| bigot | gruesome | relinquish |
| blatant | haggle | reprimand |
| bleak | harass | resolve |
| boycott | headlong | resume |
| braggart | hilarious | retort |
| brawl | homage | robust |
| browse | homicide | rudimentary |
| bystander | hospitable | rupture |
| candid | hurtle | saga |
| candor | hybrid | secession |
| canine | illiterate | sequel |
| canny | impartial | sham |
| capricious | impede | shirk |
| capsize | implore | signify |
| casual | incident | simultaneously |
| casualty | incredulous | snare |
| catastrophe | indifferent | sovereign |
| cater | industrious | species |
| cause | inevitable | status |
| characterize | infamous | stodgy |
| chorus | infuriate | substantial |
| chronological | inhabitants | subtle |
| citrus | initiate | sullen |
| clamber | insinuate | supervise |
| climax | intensified | suspense |
| compel | intimidate | talisman |
| competent | inundate | tamper |
| component | irate | tentative |
| compromise | irrelevant | throb |
| conclusive | lavish | toxic |
| concur | legacy | tragedy |
| condemn | legendary | treason |
| confront | legitimate | trickle |
| congested | lethal | trivial |
| conjure | liaison | uncertainty |
| connotation | libel | unscathed |
| consecutive | loath | upright |
| consult | ludicrous | urgent |
| contrast | lurk | utmost |
| copious | magnetic | vengeance |
| correspond | magnitude | vicious |
| corrupt | mandatory | viewpoint |
| counterfeit | maternal | vindictive |
| covet | maul | vista |
| customary | melancholy | vocation |
| dawdle | mellow | void |
| debut | mirth | wary |
| deceased | mitigate | whim |
| deceitful | momentum | wince |
| demeanor | mortify | wrath |
| dependent | mull | yearn |
| derogatory | murky | |
| despondent | naive | |
| detach | narrate | |
| devastate | narrative | |
| devious | necessity |
Tier 2 Vocabulary Words Eighth Grade
| abet | dire | onslaught |
| abhor | discern | opposition |
| abrasion | disdain | ornate |
| accord | disgruntled | ovation |
| adept | dispatch | overt |
| advocate | disposition | pang |
| agile | doctrine | panorama |
| allot | dub | perish |
| aloof | durable | perspective |
| alternative | eccentric | persuasive |
| ambiguous | elapse | phenomenon |
| amiss | elite | pioneer |
| analogy | embargo | pithy |
| anarchy | embark | pivotal |
| anonymous | encompass | plagiarize |
| anthology | encroach | plausible |
| antics | endeavor | plunder |
| apathy | enhance | porous |
| apprehend | enigma | precise |
| ardent | epoch | prediction |
| articulate | era | preposterous |
| assail | eventful | prevalent |
| assimilate | evidence | principal |
| assumption | evoke | procedure |
| atrocity | evolve | prodigy |
| attribute | exceptional | proficient |
| audacious | excerpt | profound |
| augment | excruciating | proprietor |
| authority | exemplify | prudent |
| avail | exotic | pseudonym |
| avid | facilitate | pungent |
| awry | fallacy | quote |
| balmy | fastidious | rankle |
| ban | feasible | rational |
| banter | fend | rebel |
| barter | ferret | rebuff |
| belligerent | flair | rebuke |
| benign | flustered | reception |
| bisect | focus | recourse |
| bizarre | foreboding | recur |
| blasé | forfeit | renounce |
| bonanza | formidable | renown |
| bountiful | formula | resilient |
| boycott | fortify | response |
| cache | foster | revenue |
| capable | gaunt | reverberate |
| capacious | generation | rubble |
| caption | gingerly | rue |
| cause | glut | sage |
| characterize | grapple | sedative |
| chastise | grope | serene |
| chronological | gruesome | servile |
| citadel | gullible | shackle |
| cite | haggard | significant |
| clad | haven | similar |
| clarify | heritage | simulate |
| colleague | hindrance | simultaneous |
| commemorate | hover | sleek |
| commence | humane | source |
| compels | imminent | specific |
| component | impel | spontaneous |
| concept | imperative | sporadic |
| concise | inaugurate | stamina |
| conclude | incense | stance |
| confiscate | indifferent | staple |
| conjecture | infinite | stint |
| connoisseur | instill | strident |
| conscientious | institute | sublime |
| consecutive | integrate | subside |
| conservative | interrogate | succumb |
| consistent | intervene | surmise |
| conspire | intricate | surpass |
| construct | inventive | susceptible |
| contagious | inventory | suspense |
| contrast | irascible | swelter |
| conventional | jurisdiction | tedious |
| convey | languish | teem |
| corroborate | legendary | theme |
| crucial | liberal | theory |
| crusade | loll | tirade |
| culminate | lucrative | tract |
| deceptive | luminous | transition |
| decipher | memoir | trepidation |
| decree | mercenary | turbulent |
| deface | merge | tycoon |
| defect | meticulous | ultimate |
| depict | mien | ungainly |
| deplore | millennium | universal |
| deploy | minimize | validate |
| derive | modify | variable |
| desist | muse | vice versa |
| desolate | muster | vie |
| despicable | mutiny | vilify |
| despondent | narrate | voracious |
| deter | novice | wage |
| dialect | obsolete | wrangle |
Older Students: Tier 2 Vocabulary Words
Tier 2 Vocabulary Words 9th Grade
| absolve | escalate | mortify |
| alleviate | evaluate | niche |
| alternative | exacerbate | obscure |
| ambivalent | excerpt | obsolete |
| analyze | exemplify | pacify |
| animosity | explicit | perception |
| approximate | exposition | perspective |
| arbitrary | falter | pertinent |
| attribute | feasible | ponder |
| beneficial | feign | prevalent |
| comprehensive | fluctuate | proponent |
| connotation | formulate | punitive |
| contrast | generate | rapport |
| credible | gist | rationale |
| cursory | hypothetical | reconcile |
| cynic | impartial | redundant |
| dearth | implausible | respective |
| deficient | implication | retaliate |
| demonstrate | imply | sabotage |
| depict | incentive | scrutiny |
| derive | incoherent | similar |
| detract | indolent | simulate |
| devastate | infamous | squander |
| digress | infuriate | succumb |
| dilemma | innovation | tangible |
| diligent | intercede | technique |
| dissent | interpret | traumatic |
| distort | intimidate | turmoil |
| diversion | isolate | valid |
| elation | jeopardize | verify |
| elicit | lucrative | viable |
| escalate | mandatory | vulnerable |
| evaluate | mediate |
Tier 2 Vocabulary Words 10th Grade
| abstract | dormant | panacea |
| admonish | egocentric | perfunctory |
| advocate | elusive | preposterous |
| alternative | emulate | precarious |
| ambiguous | equitable | precipitate |
| analogy | eradicate | preclude |
| anarchy | estrange | proficient |
| assiduous | exacerbate | propensity |
| assimilate | expedite | qualitative |
| augment | fabricate | quantitative |
| authentic | facilitate | recalcitrant |
| belligerent | fortuitous | redeem |
| bolster | fraudulent | rejuvenate |
| bureaucratic | heinous | relegate |
| circumvent | hypothetical | relinquish |
| coalition | illicit | repugnant |
| cohesive | imminent | resilient |
| collaborate | impetuous | retrospect |
| comply | incongruous | sanction |
| concurrent | indigenous | spontaneous |
| connotation | indiscriminate | static |
| constituent | inherent | stringent |
| contingent | jurisdiction | subordinate |
| criteria | lax | subsidize |
| demeanor | meticulous | tenuous |
| deplore | negligent | travesty |
| derogatory | nonchalant | tumult |
| disparity | oblivious | unilateral |
| disseminate | obscure | validate |
| dissident | omnipotent | vindicate |
| distraught | opportune | zealot |
| divert | oppose |
Tier 2 Vocabulary Words 11th Grade
| aberration | conciliatory | incessant |
| abstract | contrast | incidental |
| accolade | copious | incite |
| accommodate | cordial | incorrigible |
| aesthetic | dearth | indict |
| affinity | debilitate | indoctrinate |
| altercation | decadence | insurgent |
| ameliorate | deference | intangible |
| amicable | delineate | judicious |
| anarchy | deprecate | lavish |
| anomaly | despot | listless |
| appall | devious | meager |
| archaic | didactic | meander |
| arduous | disparage | negligent |
| articulate | dissonance | obliterate |
| astute | duplicity | ponderous |
| authoritarian | edifice | preclude |
| aversion | effervescent | prerequisite |
| biased | egregious | proximity |
| brevity | elusive | rectify |
| cajole | equivocal | rescind |
| callous | erroneous | resolution |
| capitulate | exemplary | rigorous |
| catalyst | expedient | scrutinize |
| catharsis | extraneous | substantiate |
| caustic | formidable | surmise |
| censure | frivolous | tirade |
| chastise | grueling | turbulence |
| clamor | haphazard | unimpeachable |
| coalesce | heretic | unobtrusive |
| cognizant | hindrance | usurp |
| commiserate | hypocrisy | vacillate |
| composure | iconoclast | whimsical |
Tier 2 Vocabulary Words 12th Grade
| anachronistic | divergent | perfidious |
| abbreviate | empathy | precocious |
| abdicate | emulate | pretentious |
| abstinence | enervating | procrastinate |
| adulation | enhance | prosaic |
| adversity | ephemeral | prosperity |
| aesthetic | evanescent | provocative |
| amicable | exasperation | prudent |
| anecdote | exemplary | querulous |
| anonymous | extenuating | rancorous |
| antagonist | florid | reclusive |
| arid | fortuitous | reconciliation |
| assiduous | frugal | renovation |
| asylum | hackneyed | resilient |
| benevolent | haughty | restrained |
| camaraderie | hedonist | reverence |
| censure | hypothesis | sagacity |
| circuitous | impetuous | scrutinize |
| clairvoyant | impute | spontaneity |
| collaborate | incompatible | spurious |
| compassion | inconsequential | submissive |
| compromise | inevitable | substantiate |
| condescending | integrity | subtle |
| conditional | intrepid | superficial |
| conformist | intuitive | superfluous |
| congregation | jubilation | suppress |
| convergence | lobbyist | surreptitious |
| deleterious | longevity | tactful |
| demagogue | mundane | tenacious |
| digression | nonchalant | transient |
| diligent | novice | venerable |
| discredit | opulent | vindicate |
| disdain | orator | wary |
| divergent | ostentatious | |
| empathy | parched |
Lesson Plans
Again when it comes to vocabulary direct instruction it’s important to focus on the notion of tiers.
The different tiers of words help you decide which type of words to focus on.
There a lot of opportunities to learn tier 1 words simply through conversation and daily life making them less important to focus on and with tier 3 words for more mature language users and used in a specific field of study they are low-frequency words and less important to focus on as well.
That leaves us with tier 2 words as our key words to be focusing on to get our biggest bang for our buck.
SEE ALSO: 179+ Free Speech Therapy Wh Questions Printable
Instruction of Tier 2 Words
I’ve spent the last year creating something very special for my community!
And I’m excited to announce in the month of August 2022 I’ll be releasing my newest tier 2 vocabulary resource.
Here is a sneak peek of what’s coming!
Are you in need of a year group vocabulary lesson plan? Each grade level bundle comes with 100 words giving you 2 pages per week for a 25-week school year lesson plan.
Practice using the vocabulary words in various contexts.
- Say the vocabulary word aloud.
- Write or type the vocabulary word.
- Read the word used in a sentence.
- Identify a synonym and/or antonym.
- Select the correct definition.
- Fill in the blank using your vocabulary word.
- Use the word in a sentence using the given real-life photos.
- Highlight the context clue.
- Select the correct definition based on the context clues given.
- Answering questions about your new vocabulary word.
The best part is practicing the vocabulary words in various ways from saying the word aloud, to selecting the correct answer, to creating your own definitions, to selecting the correct definition based on the context clues.
Tier 2 Vocabulary List PDF
Fill out the form below to grab your copy of tier 2 academic vocabulary words for grades Kindergarten through 6th grade. Looking for another fun idea? Create a grade-level word wall with your new words!
Frequently Asked Questions: Tier 2 Vocabulary Words
How do You Know if a Word is Tier 2?
Tier 2 words are words that are of high frequency that are used across a variety of contexts and are not domain or topic specific.
What is the Difference Between Tier 2 and Tier 3 Words?
Tier 2 words are high-frequency words that can be used across multiple different subjects or topics while tier 3 words are low-frequency words and are domain specific. For example, infer and form are both tier 2 words while lava and DNA are both tier 3 words.
SEE ALSO: 193+ Multiple Meaning Words Grouped by Grade + Free Worksheets
How Do you Teach Tier Two Words?
Practice using the vocabulary words in various contexts.
- Say the vocabulary word aloud.
- Write or type the vocabulary word.
- Read the word used in a sentence.
- Identify a synonym and/or antonym.
- Select the correct definition.
- Fill in the blank using your vocabulary word.
- Use the word in a sentence using the given real-life photos.
- Highlight the context clue.
- Select the correct definition based on the context clues given.
- Answering questions about your new vocabulary word.
Is Rainbow a Tier 2 Word?
Even though the word rainbow is a common word frequently used in conversation and might be thought to be a tier 1 word it is also a domain-specific word and used to understand and describe a specific topic, therefore, it is considered a tier 3 word.
What is a Tier 3 Vocabulary Word?
Tier 3 words are those low-frequency words that are used in a specific domain or subject-specific area including subjects in school, occupations, hobbies, etc.
They are specialized words that are used in a specific domain and only have one meaning.
For example, the words algorithm and absolute value are all math-specific tier 3 words.
Fill out the Form Below to Get Your Free Copy!
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FAQs
What are Tier 2 vocabulary words speech therapy store? ›
Tier 2 words are words that are high-frequency words that are frequently seen in an academic setting across multiple different subjects. They are words that are used by native speakers but are more difficult words which makes them words that need to be explicitly taught and learned.
What are Tier 2 vocabulary words? ›Tier two words are the most important words for direct instruction because they are good indicators of a student's progress through school. Examples of tier two words are: masterpiece, fortunate, industrious, measure, and benevolent. There are about 7,000 word families in English (or 700 per year) in tier two.
What are Tier 2 vocabulary words common core? ›Tier 2 words are words such as obvious, complex, reasoned, national, or informed. In contrast, Tier 1 words are extremely common, almost ubiquitous-frequency words that require little or no explicit instruction. They are usually root words themselves and are not typically modified with prefixes and suffixes.
How to work on Tier 2 vocabulary? ›- Reading and vocabulary homework.
- Low-stakes testing.
- Deliberate practice.
- Writing with Tier 2 vocabulary.
- Feedback lessons.
Tier 1 words are described as common, basic, every day words. Tier 2 words are academic words used in texts across multiple contexts. Tier 3 words are academic words that are discipline specific and very narrow in their usage.
What is Tier 2 vocabulary vs Tier 3? ›On the other hand, Tier 2 vocabulary is more academic and nuanced in nature and includes high frequency words such as 'analyse' ''quantify' and 'examine', whereas Tier 3 vocabulary consists of low frequency, subject-specific terminology such as 'algorithm', 'cardiovascular' and 'Renaissance'.
Are Tier 2 words academic words? ›Tier two words are also referred to as academic vocabulary. They are cross-curricular words, appearing frequently across topics and content areas. Tier two words are not common words used in conversation, making them ideal candidates for direct instruction.
What are Tier 2 vocabulary words Beck and McKeown? ›Tier 2 words
As Beck and McKeown say, these words “are not the most basic or common ways of expressing ideas, but they are familiar to mature language users as ordinary as opposed to specialised language.”
Tier 2 provides selective supports for individuals or groups of students with some additional low-level learning, social-emotional and developmental needs. This tier adds a layer of support to a select group of students that will ultimately be impactful for all students.
What are the most common Tier 2 words? ›Tier Two words are high-frequency words for mature language users — coincidence, absurd, industrious — and thus instruction in these words can add productively to an individual's language ability.
Is Rainbow a Tier 2 word? ›
Occasionally Tier 1 words are also domain-specific—required to understand a particular topic—and can therefore be categorized as Tier 3 even though they will be familiar to most students. Examples include rainbow and thunderstorm. Tier 2 words are words that students will encounter in a variety of contexts.
Is fervent a Tier 2 word? ›Tier Two words include words like circumstances, contradict, precede, auspicious, fervent and retrospect. One hallmark of Tier Two words is that they are seldom used in conversation, but are frequently found in written text.
What are Tier 2 words in ESL? ›Tier 2 words consist of such words as coincidence, masterpiece, absurd, industrious, and benevolent as well as academic terms we often use at school such as define, predict, analyze and compare .
How can I improve my second grade vocabulary? ›- Read aloud every day. Reading aloud to your child and having your child read books on their own is the best way to increase their vocabulary. ...
- Bring in the nonfiction. ...
- Talk about new words during read alouds. ...
- Be a word detective! ...
- Explore your world. ...
- "What's another word for ..."
Essential Words Routine
During this routine, teachers introduce target words with definitions, visual cues, and examples. Students engage in immediate practice using the words through collaborative student turn-and-talk activities.
Tier Two: Children who are not progressing at an expected rate may receive an extra small group instruction, accommodations, and/or individual compensatory strategies (this will depend on the school/resources/program/student population). Tier Three: Intensive intervention usually implemented by a specialist.
What is Tier 2 speech? ›Tier 2: Students who fall into the bottom 25% of the class receive extra language support in small groups, regardless of their primary language. These students are progress monitored bi-weekly to ensure that they are progressing with their language skills.