Words that Start With the Letter D for Kids
Our list of letter D words comes with letter D activities, and tips for teaching the letter D sound and words to your child.
Nurture your child’s vocabulary and awareness of the letter D sound with these letter D words designed for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary students. Although young learners might not read many of these words independently, adults can pronounce any unfamiliar words to their child, introducing them to the initial letter D sound. You can easily print our collection of letter B words to explore with your child, accompanied by our letter D images to assist your child in practicing these new terms and forming associations with their meanings.
Pick and choose the words you feel are appropriate for your child, and remember that this list can be used to familiarize your child with the sound of the letter D, as a vocabulary list, or as a spelling list.
Each word is accompanied by a definition and a simple sentence to help expand your child’s comprehension of each term’s meaning. Add more fun to learning the sound of the letter D with our list of letter D activities to try with your child.
Lists of Letter D Words
Select the words that you think are suitable for your child. Keep in mind that these lists of words can be used to help familiarize your child with the sound of the letter D, act as a list for vocabulary building, or be used for spelling practice. Younger children will likely need you to read the list to them.
3-Letter D Words
☐ dab: to touch gently with something soft. “He will dab the paint on the paper.”
☐ den: a wild animal’s hidden home. “The fox goes back to its den.”
☐ dig: to make a hole in the ground. “He likes to dig in the sandbox.”
☐ dim: not bright or clear. “The light in the room was too dim to read.”
☐ dip: to put something quickly into a liquid and take it out again. “She likes to dip her cookies in milk.”
☐ dot: a small round mark. “She put a dot at the end of the sentence.”
☐ dud: something that fails. “The firework was a dud; it didn’t explode.”
☐ dug: past tense of dig. “He dug a hole yesterday.”
☐ dry: not wet. “She hung her wet coat up to dry after the rain storm.”
Simple Preschool Letter D Words
☐ dad: your father. “My dad reads me a story.”
☐ dance: to move your body to music. “We like to dance together.”
☐ dark: when there’s little light. “It gets dark at night.”
☐ day: the time when the sun is up. “We play outside during the day.”
☐ deal: to distribute cards in a game/to get something at a lower price.. “It’s your turn to deal the cards.”/”The toy was on sale, so I got a good deal on it.”
☐ dent: when the surface of something has been pushed in slightly. “The ball left a dent in the pillow.”
☐ desk: a table you work at. “I draw pictures at my desk.”
☐ dime: a ten-cent coin. “I found a dime on the ground.”
☐ dish: a plate you eat on. “Put your dish in the sink when you finish eating.”
☐ dirt: soil or earth. “We plant seeds in the dirt.”
☐ dog: a furry four-legged animal that barks. “I have a dog named Spot.”
☐ doll: a toy that looks like a person. “She plays with her doll every day.”
☐ door: something you open to go in or out. “Please close the door behind you when you leave the house.”
☐ drink: to take liquid into the mouth and swallow it. “She likes to drink water after playing.”
☐ damp: slightly wet. “The grass was damp from the evening rain.”
☐ do: to perform an action. “What will you do today?”
Kindergarten Words
☐ daisy: a type of white flower with a yellow center. “She picked a daisy in the field.”
☐ dandelion: a yellow wildflower that turns into fluffy white seeds. “He blew the dandelion seeds into the air.”
☐ dart: a small, thin object that can be thrown. “He threw the dart at the board.”
☐ date: a specific day on the calendar. “Her birthday is on a special date.”
☐ dear: a term of endearment for someone you love or care about deeply. “My dear friend, I appreciate you greatly.”
☐ diary: a book where you can write your thoughts and experiences. “She writes in her diary every night.”
☐ ding: a soft sound like a bell. “The ding of the oven timer means the cookies are done.”
☐ dock: a place where boats are kept in the water. “They watched the boats at the dock.”
☐ doe: a female deer. “The doe grazed in the meadow.”
☐ dragon: a mythical creature that breathes fire. “He drew a dragon in art class.”
☐ drum: a musical instrument you hit with sticks or your hands. “He plays the drum in music class.”
☐ duckling: a young duck. “The duckling follows its mother around the pond.”
☐ dusk: the time in the evening when it starts to get dark. “They went inside at dusk.”
☐ drive: to operate and control the direction and speed of a motor vehicle. “She likes to drive the car along the coast to see the ocean.”
☐ dive: to jump into water head first. “The dolphin loves to dive back into the water.”
☐ drop: to let something fall. “She will drop the ball into the toy bin.”
Elementary Words
☐ decade: a period of ten years. “She celebrated a decade of friendship with her best friend.”
☐ decimal: a number that is not whole. “We learned about decimal numbers in math class.”
☐ define: to explain the meaning of a word. “The teacher asked us to define the word ‘decade’.”
☐ delta: a landform where a river divides before entering a larger body of water. “The river widened as it approached the delta, branching out into many streams.”
☐ dentist: a doctor who takes care of teeth. “I have an appointment with the dentist next week.”
☐ deposit: to put money into a bank account. “He went to the bank to deposit his birthday money.”
☐ design: to create a plan or drawing of something that will be made or built. “She wants to design her own clothes.”
☐ detergent: a type of soap used to clean clothes or dishes. “We ran out of detergent for the laundry.”
☐ diagram: a drawing that explains something. “The diagram showed how the machine works.”
☐ dialect: a form of a language that is spoken in a particular area. “They spoke a dialect I was unfamiliar with.”
☐ dinosaur: a large extinct reptile. “The T-Rex is a type of dinosaur.”
☐ directory: a book or list of names, addresses, or other information. “We found the restaurant in the directory.”
☐ difficult: something that is hard to do. “It’s difficult to carry something heavy.”
☐ diagnosis: the identification of an illness or other problem after studying what might be causing it. “The doctor gave a diagnosis after the examination.”
☐ dilemma: a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more options. “He faced a dilemma choosing between the two colleges.”
☐ distinguished: successful or known for excellence. “The distinguished scientist received an award for her research.”
Food Words
☐ dal: a dish made from lentils, peas, or beans. “Dal is a staple in Indian cuisine.”
☐ danish: a sweet pastry. “He picked a cherry danish at the bakery.”
☐ dates: sweet fruits that grow on palm trees. “She added dates to the salad for sweetness.”
☐ dairy: products made from milk. “Cheese and yogurt are dairy foods.”
☐ dessert: a sweet food typically eaten at the end of a meal. “For dessert, we’re having ice cream.”
☐ dijon: a type of mustard from Dijon, France. “Dijon mustard adds flavor to sandwiches.”
☐ dill: an herb that adds flavor to food. “Dill is often used in pickles.”
☐ dough: a mixture of flour, water, and other ingredients that is baked to make bread and pastries. “He used homemade dough for the pizza.”
☐ dressing: a sauce added to salads. “She made a homemade dressing with olive oil and vinegar.”
☐ drizzle: to pour a liquid over food in a thin stream. “She will drizzle chocolate sauce over the cake.”
☐ dumpling: a small ball of dough that can be boiled, fried, or steamed. “Dumpling soup is her favorite.”
☐ donut: a sweet, fried dough, often with a hole in the center. “I love chocolate-covered donuts.”
☐ durian: a large, spiky fruit known for its strong odor. “He tried durian for the first time on his trip.”
Animal Words
☐ dachshund: a breed of dog with a long body and short legs. “The dachshund barked at the mail carrier.”
☐ darter: a type of bird known for diving into water to catch fish. “The darter emerged from the water with a fish.”
☐ deer: a forest animal known for its graceful movements and antlers. “The deer jumped across the path.”
☐ deer mouse: a small rodent with a white belly and big eyes, resembling a deer. “The deer mouse scurried across the field.”
☐ dingo: a wild dog native to Australia. “The dingo is often seen in Australian deserts.”
☐ discus: a tropical fish known for its bright colors and round shape. “The discus fish added beauty to the aquarium.”
☐ dolphin: a smart marine mammal that can make clicking sounds. “The dolphin leaped out of the water.”
☐ donkey: a sturdy animal with long ears, often used for carrying loads. “The donkey carried the supplies up the hill.”
☐ dove: a white or grey bird symbolizing peace. “A dove flew over the rooftops.”
☐ dragonfly: an insect with a long body and wings, known for its flying speed. “A dragonfly zipped over the lake.”
☐ dromedary: a type of camel with one hump, used in desert areas. “The dromedary moved smoothly across the sand.”
☐ duck: a bird that quacks and loves water. “The duck swims in the pond.”
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Object Words
☐ dagger: a short knife with a pointed and edged blade. “The pirate had a dagger tucked in his belt.”
☐ daisy chain: a string of daisies tied together by their stems. “She made a daisy chain to wear as a necklace.”
☐ dashboard: the panel facing the driver of a vehicle, containing instruments and controls. “The dashboard lights up when the car is started.”
☐ database: a structured set of data held in a computer or server. “The customer information is stored in a database.”
☐ decoder: a device or program that translates encoded data into its original format. “The spy used a decoder to read the secret message.”
☐ dice: small cubes with sides bearing one to six spots, used in playing games. “He rolled the dice and hoped for a six.”
☐ diorama: a model representing a scene with three-dimensional figures. “The museum featured a diorama of the ancient city.”
☐ disinfectant: a chemical liquid that destroys bacteria. “She sprayed disinfectant on the countertops.”
☐ diving board: a board projecting over deep water for diving, often found at a swimming pool. “He did a flip off the diving board.”
☐ documentary: a movie, television, or radio program that provides a factual record or report. “They watched a documentary about lions.”
☐ dumbbell: a short bar with a weight at each end, used typically in pairs for exercise. “She lifted dumbbells to strengthen her arms.”
Places Words
☐ dale: a valley, especially in northern England. “The dale was filled with wildflowers in spring.”
☐ dam: a structure built across a river to control the flow of water. “The dam provides electricity for the nearby towns.”
☐ desert: a large, dry area of land with few plants and little rainfall. “The Sahara is the world’s largest hot desert.”
☐ diner: a small, casual restaurant. “They stopped at a diner for breakfast.”
☐ disco: a nightclub for dancing to pop and disco music. “The disco was popular in the 1970s.”
☐ dormitory: a large bedroom for a number of people in a school or institution. “She shared a dormitory with three other students in college.”
☐ downtown: the main business district of a city or town. “They went downtown to explore the shops and restaurants.”
☐ drive-in: a movie theater or restaurant where people can be served while staying in their cars. “They watched a movie at the drive-in movie theater.”
☐ dungeon: a strong underground prison cell, especially in a castle. “The old castle’s dungeon was cold and dark.”
Nature and Environment Words
☐ daffodil: a yellow, bell-shaped flower that blooms in the spring. “The garden was full of blooming daffodils.”
☐ damselfly: a slender-bodied insect of the dragonfly family, often found near water. “A damselfly rested on the lily pad.”
☐ dawn: the time of day when light first appears in the sky before the sun rises. “They woke up at dawn to watch the sunrise.”
☐ deciduous: referring to trees that shed their leaves annually. “Deciduous trees change color and lose their leaves in autumn.”
☐ dell: a small valley among trees. “They found a hidden dell during their hike in the forest.”
☐ drought: a long period without rain, causing a shortage of water. “The drought has lasted for several months now.”
☐ driftwood: pieces of wood that are floating on the sea or have been washed ashore. “Driftwood can often be found along the beach.”
☐ dune: a hill of sand built by wind or water flow. “The dune provided a perfect spot to watch the sunset over the beach.”
☐ dust: fine particles of matter that settle on surfaces. “After the storm, dust settled on the windowsills.”
Emotions and Traits
☐ daring: showing a willingness to take risks; bold. “The knight was daring in his quest to save the kingdom.”
☐ dauntless: showing fearlessness and determination. “Her dauntless spirit inspired all who knew her.”
☐ dejected: sad and dispirited. “After losing the game, he felt dejected.”
☐ delighted: feeling or showing great pleasure. “She was delighted to find her lost toy.”
☐ demure: reserved, modest, and shy. “Her demure nature was apparent in large gatherings.”
☐ dependent: relying on someone or something else for support. “Young ducklings are highly dependent on their mother.”
☐ desolate: feeling or showing misery, unhappiness, or loneliness. “He felt desolate after his pet passed away.”
☐ determined: having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it. “She was determined to finish the marathon.”
☐ devoted: very loving or loyal. “He is devoted to his family.”
☐ diligent: having or showing care in one’s work or duties. “She was diligent in her studies.”
☐ discreet: being careful in one’s speech or actions.. “He was discreet when discussing sensitive topics.”
☐ disheartened: having lost determination or confidence; dispirited. “The team was disheartened after several losses.”
☐ dismayed: feeling distress. “She was dismayed by the sad news.”
☐ dynamic: characterized by constant change, activity, or progress. “A dynamic personality, she was always looking for new adventures.”
☐ dedicated: devoted to a task or purpose. “The dedicated teacher stayed late to help students.”
☐ dignified: having or showing a composed or serious manner that is worthy of respect. “She carried herself in a dignified manner during the ceremony.”
Action Words
☐ dabble: to take part in an activity in a casual way. “He likes to dabble in painting on weekends.”
☐ dart: to move or run somewhere suddenly or rapidly. “The dog’s barking made the squirrel dart across the lawn.”
☐ dash: to run quickly or suddenly. “Being late caused him to dash to catch the bus.”
☐ debate: to discuss a topic in a formal manner with others. “They will debate the issue in class.”
☐ decide: to make a choice among several options. “You need to decide what you want for lunch.”
☐ decorate: to make something look more attractive by adding extra items. “Let’s decorate the room for the party.”
☐ defer: to postpone something to a later time. “They decided to defer the meeting until next week.”
☐ delegate: to entrust a task or responsibility to another person. “She will delegate the tasks among her team members.”
☐ delight: to please someone greatly. “Let’s plan a surprise party to delight the birthday girl.”
☐ deliver: to take goods, letters, parcels, etc., to people’s houses or places of work. “The postman delivers mail every morning.”
☐ demand: to ask for something forcefully. “I demand you to give me back my ball.”
☐ demonstrate: to show or explain how something works or how to do something. “The chef will demonstrate how to prepare the dish.”
☐ deny: to state that something declared is not true. “He will deny that he did anything wrong.”
☐ depart: to leave, typically to start a journey. “The train departs at noon.”
Free Printable Letter D Words Lists
Simply download and print our PDFs of the letter D word lists to review with your children. One list includes all of our letter D words and the other lists features our letter D words along with their definitions and the words used in a simple sentence.
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Letter D Words with Pictures
Preschoolers and kindergarteners will appreciate having illustrations to look at while learning new letter D words. As you read the words aloud to them, draw their attention to the letter D sound as you pronounce the word. Point at the corresponding picture as you say the letter D word. You can choose from our printable letter D words with pictures to color or letter D words with illustrations.
Letter D Activities
Letter D Song:
Learning about the letter D is especially fun when it’s a song kids can listen, dance, and sing to.
Letter D Worksheets:
These free printable letter D worksheets can help children learn to recognize the letter D, say its name and the sound it makes, and start learning how to write it, too.
Letter D Hands-on Learning
Letter D Art
Try some drawing and doodling or decorate a few letter Ds to help your continue practicing with the sound and shape of the letter.
Dinosaur Dig
Fill a bucket or bin with sand and bury a few dinosaurs. Challenge your child to find them all. As your child digs, work with them to name other things that start with the letter D.
D Sound Hunt
Take a walk inside or outside and look for objects that start with the letter D sound. Make a list or take pictures of what you find, like door, desk, dog, and duck.
Tips for Teaching Letter D Words
- Use Images
Younger children may connect more with seeing pictures of objects and animals that start with the letter D. You can use our printable picture sheets above or simply keep an eye out for images in books or items in your home that begin with D.
- Letter Sound of the Week
Add some fun to learning new letter sounds by picking a new letter sound for each week. Spend the week identifying things that start with the letter sound, making foods that use the designated letter sound, and hunting for the letter sound in books.
- Review Other Letter Sounds
If your child is already familiar with the sounds of the letters preceding letter D, take a moment to review them to help keep them fresh in your child’s mind. This can also aid in distinguishing the unique sounds of the letter D from the other letters they know.
Additional Resources
ABCmouse has educational resources for children aged 2-8, as well as resources to help parents and teachers.
Letter Sound Activities for Young Children
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