1,355 Words That Start With "J"
1,355 words that start with "J" in our 199K-word dictionary.
Browse the complete list of 1,355 English words starting with "J". 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 "J" (Top 1k)
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Jacket /ˈdʒækɪt/noun A1
A type of clothing worn on the upper body that covers your arms and torso, usually worn over other clothes.
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Jam /dʒæm/noun A1
A thick, sweet food made from cooked fruit and sugar that you spread on bread.
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Jar /dʒɑːr/noun A1
A container with a wide opening and a lid, usually made of glass, used to store food or things.
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Jaw /dʒɔː/noun A1
The lower or upper bone in your face that you use to chew food and move your mouth.
Less Common Words That Start With "J" (Top 5k+)
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Jab /dʒæb/verb B2
To push or hit something suddenly and quickly with a finger or fist
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Jackfruit /ˈdʒækfruːt/noun B2
The world's largest tree fruit, grown in tropical regions, with fibrous sections inside that can be eaten raw or cooked.
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Jackpot /ˈdʒækpɒt/noun B2
A big money prize that you can win in a game or lottery
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Jaded /ˈdʒeɪdɪd/adj C1
Tired or bored from doing something too much; no longer interested
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Jagged /ˈdʒægɪd/adj B2
With sharp, rough points and uneven edges
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James /dʒeɪmz/noun A2
A popular English male first name; the plural Jameses is used when talking about multiple people named James.
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Janitor /ˈdʒænɪtər/noun B2
A person who cleans and looks after a building
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Jargon /ˈdʒɑːɡən/noun B2
Special words used by people in a particular job or hobby that others might not understand
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Jaunt /dʒɔːnt/noun C1
A short, fun trip or outing, usually for a day or less
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Javelin /ˈdʒævlɪn/noun B2
A long pointed stick that athletes throw as far as possible in a sport
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Jeans /dʒiːnz/noun A1
Sturdy pants made from denim fabric, commonly blue, and worn for casual situations.
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Jeer /dʒɪər/verb B2
To make fun of someone or laugh at them in a mean way
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Jelly /ˈdʒeli/noun A2
a clear, shaky dessert made from gelatin and flavoring (British); or a smooth spread made from fruit juice and sugar (American)
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Jeopardize /dʒɛpərdaɪz/verb C1
Put something in danger. Create a risk that it might be lost or damaged.
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Jeopardy /ˈdʒepərdi/noun B2
A dangerous situation where something bad might happen
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Jerky /ˈdʒɜːki/adj B2
Moving suddenly in a rough, not-smooth way
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Jersey /ˈdʒɜːrzi/noun B1
A sports shirt with the team's colors, number, and logo, worn by players during games.
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Jest /dʒest/noun C1
A joke or something said to make people laugh
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Jettison /ˈdʒetɪsən/verb C1
To throw something away or get rid of it, especially from a ship or aircraft
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Jewel /ˈdʒuːəl/noun A2
A beautiful shiny stone like a diamond or ruby, or jewelry decorated with such stones.
576 More Words That Start With "J" (definitions coming soon)
Words That Start With "J" by Length
2 Letter Words That Start With "J" (8)
See all 8 2-letter words that start with "J" →
3 Letter Words That Start With "J" (36)
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Jab /dʒæb/verb B2
To push or hit something suddenly and quickly with a finger or fist
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Jam /dʒæm/noun A1
A thick, sweet food made from cooked fruit and sugar that you spread on bread.
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Jar /dʒɑːr/noun A1
A container with a wide opening and a lid, usually made of glass, used to store food or things.
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Jaw /dʒɔː/noun A1
The lower or upper bone in your face that you use to chew food and move your mouth.
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Jib /dʒɪb/noun C2
A front sail on a sailing ship or boat
See all 36 3-letter words that start with "J" →
4 Letter Words That Start With "J" (104)
See all 104 4-letter words that start with "J" →
5 Letter Words That Start With "J" (153)
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Jaded /ˈdʒeɪdɪd/adj C1
Tired or bored from doing something too much; no longer interested
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James /dʒeɪmz/noun A2
A popular English male first name; the plural Jameses is used when talking about multiple people named James.
See all 153 5-letter words that start with "J" →
6 Letter Words That Start With "J" (240)
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Jacket /ˈdʒækɪt/noun A1
A type of clothing worn on the upper body that covers your arms and torso, usually worn over other clothes.
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Jagged /ˈdʒægɪd/adj B2
With sharp, rough points and uneven edges
See all 240 6-letter words that start with "J" →
7 Letter Words That Start With "J" (267)
See all 267 7-letter words that start with "J" →
8 Letter Words That Start With "J" (180)
See all 180 8-letter words that start with "J" →
9 Letter Words That Start With "J" (170)
See all 170 9-letter words that start with "J" →
10 Letter Words That Start With "J" (109)
See all 109 10-letter words that start with "J" →
11 Letter Words That Start With "J" (46)
See all 46 11-letter words that start with "J" →
12 Letter Words That Start With "J" (23)
See all 23 12-letter words that start with "J" →
13 Letter Words That Start With "J" (11)
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Jurisprudence /ˌdʒʊərɪsˈpruːdəns/noun C2
The study of law and legal principles; the system of laws in a place
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Juxtaposition /ˌdʒʌkstəpəˈzɪʃən/noun C1
Putting two things side by side so you can compare or contrast them easily.
See all 11 13-letter words that start with "J" →
14 Letter Words That Start With "J" (6)
See all 6 14-letter words that start with "J" →
15 Letter Words That Start With "J" (2)
Words That Start With "J" by Part of Speech
Nouns That Start With "J" (39)
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Jacket /ˈdʒækɪt/noun A1
A type of clothing worn on the upper body that covers your arms and torso, usually worn over other clothes.
-
Jam /dʒæm/noun A1
A thick, sweet food made from cooked fruit and sugar that you spread on bread.
-
Jar /dʒɑːr/noun A1
A container with a wide opening and a lid, usually made of glass, used to store food or things.
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Jaw /dʒɔː/noun A1
The lower or upper bone in your face that you use to chew food and move your mouth.
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Job /dʒɑːb/noun A1
Work that you do regularly in exchange for money; your profession or occupation.
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Joy /dʒɔɪ/noun A2
Joy is a feeling of happiness and pleasure, stronger than just being happy.
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Jeans /dʒiːnz/noun A1
Sturdy pants made from denim fabric, commonly blue, and worn for casual situations.
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Jewel /ˈdʒuːəl/noun A2
A beautiful shiny stone like a diamond or ruby, or jewelry decorated with such stones.
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Joint /dʒɔɪnt/noun A2
A joint is where two bones connect in your body, like your knee, elbow, or shoulder. It lets you bend and move.
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Joke /dʒoʊk/noun A1
A joke is something funny you say or tell to make people laugh and have fun.
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Juice /dʒuːs/noun A1
A drink made by pressing or squeezing fruit or vegetables to get the liquid inside.
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James /dʒeɪmz/noun A2
A popular English male first name; the plural Jameses is used when talking about multiple people named James.
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Jelly /ˈdʒeli/noun A2
a clear, shaky dessert made from gelatin and flavoring (British); or a smooth spread made from fruit juice and sugar (American)
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Jones /dʒoʊnz/noun B1
A common English last name; the Joneses refers to neighbors whose lifestyle others try to match.
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Journey /ˈdʒɜːrni/noun A2
A journey is a trip where you travel from one place to another, often taking time.
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Junction /ˈdʒʌŋkʃən/noun B1
The place where two or more roads or lines meet and join
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Justice /ˈdʒʌstɪs/noun B1
Fairness; when people are treated equally and correctly by the legal system and society.
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Jackfruit /ˈdʒækfruːt/noun B2
The world's largest tree fruit, grown in tropical regions, with fibrous sections inside that can be eaten raw or cooked.
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Jackpot /ˈdʒækpɒt/noun B2
A big money prize that you can win in a game or lottery
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Janitor /ˈdʒænɪtər/noun B2
A person who cleans and looks after a building
See all 39 nouns that start with "J" →
Verbs That Start With "J" (13)
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Join /dʒɔɪn/verb A1
To connect things together or to become part of a group or activity.
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Judge /dʒʌdʒ/verb B1
To judge means to make an opinion about someone or something, often deciding if it is good or bad.
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Jump /dʒʌmp/verb A1
To push up into the air with your legs and come back down; to leap.
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Jab /dʒæb/verb B2
To push or hit something suddenly and quickly with a finger or fist
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Jeer /dʒɪər/verb B2
To make fun of someone or laugh at them in a mean way
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Jeopardize /dʒɛpərdaɪz/verb C1
Put something in danger. Create a risk that it might be lost or damaged.
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Jettison /ˈdʒetɪsən/verb C1
To throw something away or get rid of it, especially from a ship or aircraft
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Jolt /dʒoʊlt/verb B2
To shake someone suddenly, or to shock or surprise them
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Jostle /ˈdʒɒsəl/verb C1
To push or shove someone, usually in a crowd
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Jot /dʒɒt/verb B2
To write something quickly and briefly
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Juggle /ˈdʒʌɡəl/verb B2
To keep several things in the air at the same time, or to manage many things together
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Jumble /ˈdʒʌmbəl/verb B2
To mix things up in a messy or confused way
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Juxtapose /ˌdʒʌkstəˈpoʊz/verb C1
Put two different things next to each other on purpose to show how different they are or to make a strong comparison.
See all 13 verbs that start with "J" →
Adjectives That Start With "J" (9)
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Jolly /ˈdʒɒli/adj B1
Happy, friendly, and fun to be with
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Junior /ˈdʒuːnjər/adj B1
Someone who has less experience or a lower rank than another person; or someone who is younger.
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Jaded /ˈdʒeɪdɪd/adj C1
Tired or bored from doing something too much; no longer interested
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Jagged /ˈdʒægɪd/adj B2
With sharp, rough points and uneven edges
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Jerky /ˈdʒɜːki/adj B2
Moving suddenly in a rough, not-smooth way
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Jocular /ˈdʒɒkjələr/adj C1
Joking around and funny in a friendly way
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Jovial /ˈdʒoʊviəl/adj C1
Very happy, friendly, and good-humoured
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Jubilant /ˈdʒuːbɪlənt/adj C1
Very happy and celebrating because of a success or good news.
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Judicious /dʒuːˈdɪʃəs/adj C1
Careful and wise in making decisions
See all 9 adjectives that start with "J" →
Adverbs That Start With "J" (1)
How to Use Words That Start With "J"
Scrabble and Word Games
In Scrabble and Words With Friends, words starting with "J" 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 "J" 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 "J" 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 "J"
Frequently Asked Questions About Words That Start With "J"
- How many words starting with "J"?
- There are 1,355 words starting with "J" 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 "J"?
- The longest word starting with "J" in our list is "JURISPRUDENTIAL" — 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 "J"?
- 153 5-letter words starting with "J" — useful for Wordle, daily puzzles, and short crosswords. Filter by length above to see only 5-letter results.