5,139 Words That Start With "H"
5,139 words that start with "H" in our 199K-word dictionary.
Browse the complete list of 5,139 English words starting with "H". Each word in the grid below shows its IPA pronunciation, CEFR difficulty level (A1 beginner up to C2 mastery), and a one-line plain-English definition. Click any word to open its full dictionary entry. Use the filters to narrow by length, part of speech, or learner level.
Most Common Words That Start With "H" (Top 1k)
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Half /hɑːf/adj A1
One of two equal parts that make up something complete.
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Hall /hɔːl/noun A1
A large indoor space where people meet or events happen.
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Hand /hænd/noun A1
Your arm ends in this part with five fingers that you use to grab things.
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Has /hæz/verb A1
Used with he she or it to show someone owns something
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Hat /hæt/noun A1
A piece of clothing you wear on your head. It protects you from the sun or keeps you warm.
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Have /hæv/verb A1
To experience or live through something that happens to you.
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He /hiː/interj A1
A word you use to talk about a man, boy, or male animal when you've already mentioned his name.
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Head /hɛd/noun A1
The top part of your body where your brain, face, and senses are located.
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Hear /hɪr/verb A1
To receive sound through your ears; to listen and understand words
Less Common Words That Start With "H" (Top 5k+)
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Habit /ˈhæbɪt/noun A2
Something you do regularly without thinking about it because you do it so often.
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Habitat /ˈhæb.ɪ.tæt/noun B1
The place where an animal or plant naturally lives in nature.
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Haggle /ˈhæɡəl/verb C1
To argue back and forth about price or terms, trying to get a better deal. It can suggest being stubborn or argumentative.
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Haiku /ˈhaɪ.kuː/noun C2
A short Japanese poem with three lines (5-7-5 syllables) that captures a moment in nature or evokes emotion through minimal words.
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Hair /hɛr/noun A1
The thin strands that grow from your head and body.
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Hamster /ˈhæmstər/noun A2
A small cute animal with fluffy fur and puffy cheeks that people keep as pets.
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Handle /ˈhændəl/verb A2
To do what is necessary to manage a situation or problem.
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Hang /hæŋ/verb A1
To fix something so it stays suspended in the air, usually from above.
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Hanged /hæŋd/verb B2
Put to death by hanging with a rope.
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Happen /ˈhæpən/verb A1
Something occurs or takes place, often by chance.
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Happily /ˈhæpɪli/adv A2
In a way that shows you are happy or pleased.
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Happy /ˈhæpi/adj A1
Having good feelings; pleased about something that happened or is happening.
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Hard /hɑːrd/adj A1
Something that is not soft and is difficult to break or change shape.
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Hardly /ˈhɑːrdli/adv A2
Almost not at all. Something barely happens or is barely true.
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Harm /hɑːrm/noun A2
Injury or damage to a person's body or feelings. Something that hurts or damages.
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Hash /hæʃ/noun B2
A way to store data using keys (like names) to find values (like phone numbers) very quickly.
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Hate /heɪt/verb A2
To strongly dislike something or someone. A very strong negative feeling.
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Haughty /ˈhɔːti/adj C1
Showing excessive pride and acting superior to others; contemptuous of people you see as beneath you.
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Hawk /hɔːk/noun A2
A bird that hunts other animals for food, known for being fast and powerful hunters.
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Health /hɛlθ/noun A1
The condition of your body and mind when you are not sick or hurt
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Healthy /ˈhɛlθi/adj A1
In good physical and mental condition; not sick or injured
570 More Words That Start With "H" (definitions coming soon)
Words That Start With "H" by Length
2 Letter Words That Start With "H" (16)
See all 16 2-letter words that start with "H" →
3 Letter Words That Start With "H" (73)
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Has /hæz/verb A1
Used with he she or it to show someone owns something
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Hat /hæt/noun A1
A piece of clothing you wear on your head. It protects you from the sun or keeps you warm.
See all 73 3-letter words that start with "H" →
4 Letter Words That Start With "H" (203)
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Hair /hɛr/noun A1
The thin strands that grow from your head and body.
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Half /hɑːf/adj A1
One of two equal parts that make up something complete.
See all 203 4-letter words that start with "H" →
5 Letter Words That Start With "H" (358)
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Habit /ˈhæbɪt/noun A2
Something you do regularly without thinking about it because you do it so often.
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Haiku /ˈhaɪ.kuː/noun C2
A short Japanese poem with three lines (5-7-5 syllables) that captures a moment in nature or evokes emotion through minimal words.
See all 358 5-letter words that start with "H" →
6 Letter Words That Start With "H" (560)
See all 560 6-letter words that start with "H" →
7 Letter Words That Start With "H" (718)
See all 718 7-letter words that start with "H" →
8 Letter Words That Start With "H" (754)
See all 754 8-letter words that start with "H" →
9 Letter Words That Start With "H" (728)
See all 728 9-letter words that start with "H" →
10 Letter Words That Start With "H" (640)
See all 640 10-letter words that start with "H" →
11 Letter Words That Start With "H" (468)
See all 468 11-letter words that start with "H" →
12 Letter Words That Start With "H" (308)
See all 308 12-letter words that start with "H" →
13 Letter Words That Start With "H" (170)
See all 170 13-letter words that start with "H" →
14 Letter Words That Start With "H" (92)
See all 92 14-letter words that start with "H" →
15 Letter Words That Start With "H" (51)
Words That Start With "H" by Part of Speech
Nouns That Start With "H" (71)
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Hall /hɔːl/noun A1
A large indoor space where people meet or events happen.
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Hand /hænd/noun A1
Your arm ends in this part with five fingers that you use to grab things.
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Hat /hæt/noun A1
A piece of clothing you wear on your head. It protects you from the sun or keeps you warm.
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Head /hɛd/noun A1
The top part of your body where your brain, face, and senses are located.
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Heart /hɑːrt/noun A1
The muscle in your chest that sends blood around your body and keeps you alive.
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Heat /hiːt/noun A1
The warmth or high temperature produced by fire, the sun, or other sources.
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Her /hɜːr/noun A1
A word that stands in for a girl or woman's name when you've already said who she is.
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Herself /hɚˈsɛlf/noun A1
A word used when a female person does something to or for herself; also used to make a statement stronger.
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His /hɪz/noun A1
Shows that something belongs to a man or boy.
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Horse /hɔːrs/noun A1
A large animal with four legs that people ride or use to pull carriages and wagons.
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Hospital /ˈhɑːspɪtəl/noun A1
A place where doctors treat sick or hurt people and sometimes patients stay overnight for care.
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Hotel /hoʊˈtɛl/noun A1
A place where people can pay to sleep for one or more nights when they are traveling away from home.
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Hour /ˈaʊr/noun A1
A unit of time. One hour is the same as 60 minutes.
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Human /ˈhjuːmən/noun A1
A person; any man, woman, or child of our species.
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Habit /ˈhæbɪt/noun A2
Something you do regularly without thinking about it because you do it so often.
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Hair /hɛr/noun A1
The thin strands that grow from your head and body.
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Harm /hɑːrm/noun A2
Injury or damage to a person's body or feelings. Something that hurts or damages.
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Health /hɛlθ/noun A1
The condition of your body and mind when you are not sick or hurt
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Hero /ˈhɪroʊ/noun A2
Someone who does something very brave or kind that helps other people, often at great risk.
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Hill /hɪl/noun A1
A raised piece of land; not as tall or steep as a mountain.
See all 71 nouns that start with "H" →
Verbs That Start With "H" (26)
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Has /hæz/verb A1
Used with he she or it to show someone owns something
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Have /hæv/verb A1
To experience or live through something that happens to you.
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Hear /hɪr/verb A1
To receive sound through your ears; to listen and understand words
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Help /hɛlp/verb A1
To do something for someone that makes their task easier or solves their problem.
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Hide /haɪd/verb A1
To put something where it cannot be seen; to conceal.
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Hit /hɪt/verb A1
To strike or touch something with force, like hitting a ball or hitting a target.
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Hold /həʊld/verb A1
To keep something in your hands or arms, like holding a baby or holding a pencil.
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Hang /hæŋ/verb A1
To fix something so it stays suspended in the air, usually from above.
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Hate /heɪt/verb A2
To strongly dislike something or someone. A very strong negative feeling.
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Hesitate /ˈhɛzɪteɪt/verb A2
To pause, delay, or feel unsure before doing something.
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Hire /ˈhaɪər/verb A2
To give someone a job and pay them to do work.
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Hoping /ˈhoʊpɪŋ/verb B1
Wanting something to happen. Example: hoping for good weather.
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Hunt /hʌnt/verb A2
To chase and capture an animal, or to search carefully for something.
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Hurry /ˈhʌri/verb A1
To do something or go somewhere fast because time is limited.
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Hurt /hɜːrt/verb A1
To cause pain or damage to a person, animal, or your feelings.
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Handle /ˈhændəl/verb A2
To do what is necessary to manage a situation or problem.
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Hanged /hæŋd/verb B2
Put to death by hanging with a rope.
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Happen /ˈhæpən/verb A1
Something occurs or takes place, often by chance.
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Hedge /hedʒ/verb C1
To protect your money from losing value by making another investment that works opposite to your first one. If one falls, the other rises to protect you.
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Hoard /hɔːrd/verb B1
Collect and keep many items for future use.
See all 26 verbs that start with "H" →
Adjectives That Start With "H" (31)
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Half /hɑːf/adj A1
One of two equal parts that make up something complete.
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Heavy /ˈhɛvi/adj A1
Weighing a lot or difficult to carry or move because of its weight.
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High /haɪ/adj A1
Reaching far up into the air; tall or at a great height.
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Hot /hɑːt/adj A1
Having or producing a lot of heat; warm enough to burn or hurt your skin if you touch it.
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Happy /ˈhæpi/adj A1
Having good feelings; pleased about something that happened or is happening.
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Hard /hɑːrd/adj A1
Something that is not soft and is difficult to break or change shape.
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Healthy /ˈhɛlθi/adj A1
In good physical and mental condition; not sick or injured
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High /haɪ/adj B1
In a state where drugs or alcohol have affected your mind and behavior; not in your normal condition.
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Horizontal /ˌhɒr.ɪˈzɒn.təl/adj B2
When a company buys or merges with another company that does the same type of business at the same stage.
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Huge /hjuːdʒ/adj A2
Something that is very, very big. Bigger than 'big' or 'large'.
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Handsome /ˈhændsəm/adj A2
Looking very good or beautiful, usually referring to men or their appearance.
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Hereditary /həˈredəteri/adj C1
Traits or characteristics you get from your parents' genes, like eye color or certain talents. Your children might inherit them from you too.
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Heterogeneous /ˌhetərəˈdʒiːniəs/adj C1
Made up of many different kinds of things. The parts are not all the same; they differ from each other.
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Historic /hɪˈstɔːrɪk/adj B1
Very important because of its place in history.
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Hollow /ˈhɑːloʊ/adj A2
Empty inside with no solid material, or creating a deep sound that echoes.
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Holy /ˈhoʊli/adj A2
Sacred and worthy of respect in religion.
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Homemade /ˌhoʊmˈmeɪd/adj A2
Food or products made in your own home, not made in a factory or bought ready-made from a store.
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Homogeneous /ˌhɒməˈdʒiːniəs/adj C1
Made up of things that are all the same kind. All parts look and behave the same way.
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Honest /ˈɒnɪst/adj B1
Not telling lies; being truthful and sincere about what you think or feel.
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Hungry /ˈhʌŋɡri/adj A1
Wanting or needing to eat; feeling that your stomach is empty.
See all 31 adjectives that start with "H" →
Adverbs That Start With "H" (7)
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How /haʊ/adv A1
A question word. Ask 'How?' to find out the way someone does something.
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Here /hɪr/adv A1
In the place where you are now or where something is.
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Happily /ˈhæpɪli/adv A2
In a way that shows you are happy or pleased.
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Hardly /ˈhɑːrdli/adv A2
Almost not at all. Something barely happens or is barely true.
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Highly /ˈhaɪli/adv B1
Very much; in a big way; to a large extent.
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However /haʊˈɛvər/adv B1
A word that shows contrast. It means 'but' or 'on the other hand' in a more formal way.
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Hence /hens/adv C1
An old-fashioned, formal way to say 'for this reason' or 'that's why'. Used in formal writing to show cause and effect.
How to Use Words That Start With "H"
Scrabble and Word Games
In Scrabble and Words With Friends, words starting with "H" can be valuable when you need to play through an existing tile on the board. Higher-tier letters like J, Q, X, and Z multiply your score quickly when stacked on bonus squares — scan the list below for short words that contain them. Two and three-letter words starting with "H" are especially useful for parallel plays where you build along an existing word and earn points for every adjacent tile.
Crossword Puzzles
For crossword puzzles, the most useful entries are mid-length common words — 5 to 8 letters — that fit standard grid patterns. Filter the list by length to match the cells in your clue. Pay attention to the CEFR level: clues from mainstream newspapers favour B1–B2 vocabulary, while themed and cryptic puzzles draw on rarer C1 and C2 words. The IPA shown on each card also helps confirm a guess — a clue marked "two syllables" should match a word with a simple stress pattern.
Creative Writing and Poetry
Writers and poets often look for groups of words starting with "H" to build alliteration, rhythm, or near-rhymes. Sort the list by length, scan the rare and C1+ words for fresh imagery, and use the linked dictionary entries to confirm connotation before you commit. The plain-English definitions are intentionally short so you can scan dozens of options without losing flow.
Longest Word That Start With "H"
Frequently Asked Questions About Words That Start With "H"
- How many words starting with "H"?
- There are 5,139 words starting with "H" in our 199,000-word English dictionary. The list ranges from common everyday words to rarer specialised vocabulary.
- What is the longest word starting with "H"?
- The longest word starting with "H" in our list is "HAEMAGGLUTINATE" — 15 letters long. Tap the word to see its full definition.
- Are these words valid in Scrabble?
- Most of the words in this list are valid in Scrabble and similar word games (we cross-reference standard tournament dictionaries). A handful of proper nouns and very rare technical terms may not be — when in doubt, double-check with the official Scrabble dictionary used in your league.
- How many 5-letter words starting with "H"?
- 358 5-letter words starting with "H" — useful for Wordle, daily puzzles, and short crosswords. Filter by length above to see only 5-letter results.