How to Be a Spelling Bee Pronouncer: A Guide for School and Classroom Bees

A spelling bee pronouncer reads each word clearly, answers the speller's allowed questions from the official word list, and keeps the bee moving at a steady, fair pace. At a school bee, spellers can usually ask you to repeat the word and for its definition, part of speech, a sentence, its language of origin and any alternate pronunciations. Your job is to answer exactly what is on the list, the same way for every speller, without hinting at the spelling. Prepare by practicing every word aloud ahead of time, marking homonyms and tricky pronunciations, and agreeing with the judges on how you will handle mistakes.

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What the pronouncer does (and does not do)

In most bees, judges decide whether a word was spelled correctly and handle disputes. The pronouncer is a reader, not a referee. Keeping those roles separate makes the bee feel fair to students and parents.

What spellers are allowed to ask

The Scripps school-bee guidance says students can ask for alternate pronunciations, the part of speech, the definition, and for you to use the word in a sentence, and at the school level they can also ask about the word's origin. Every answer comes straight from the Competition List provided with enrollment. See the official Scripps rules page for the current materials.

At the national finals, Rule 6 lists the same core requests (repetition, definition, sentence, part of speech, language of origin, alternate pronunciations) and adds a carefully limited root-word question. Remember, though, that Scripps states its national rules apply only to its national competition. Your school or district sets the rules for your bee, so read them before the day.

Common requests and how to answer them:

• "Can you repeat the word?" Say it again, the same way, at the same speed.
• "What's the definition?" Read the definition from the list. Do not paraphrase.
• "Can you use it in a sentence?" Read the sentence from the list.
• "What part of speech is it?" Noun, verb, adjective and so on, as listed.
• "What's the language of origin?" Read it as listed, for example "from Latin" or "from French."
• "Are there alternate pronunciations?" Give any alternates in the list, or say "There are no alternate pronunciations in our list."

If a speller asks something not allowed, such as "Does it have a silent e?", say politely, "I can't answer that, but I can give you the definition or a sentence."

Before the bee: how to prepare

1. Get the word list early. Ask the coordinator for the exact list and order at least a week ahead. School bees often use the Scripps School Competition List; our Scripps word lists page and 2026 words by grade explain the levels.
2. Read every word aloud. Check pronunciations against the list's diacritical markings or a dictionary audio button. Mark any you are unsure of.
3. Flag homonyms. Words like pair, pear, pare or principal, principle need the definition every time. Write "HOMONYM: give definition" next to them.
4. Practice the sentences. Read each sample sentence naturally, not word by word.
5. Agree on procedures with the judges. How will you handle a mispronunciation? Who signals the end of a speller's time? What happens when all spellers in a round miss?
6. Check the room. Test the microphone and stand where spellers can see your face; many students lip-read slightly.

A word-by-word script

Use the same pattern for every speller:

1. Say the word. "Your word is ephemeral."
2. Pause for the speller's questions and answer only what is asked.
3. Repeat the word if asked, or if the speller seems unsure, according to your rules.
4. Wait for the spelling. Do not nod, smile or frown.
5. Let the judges speak. The judge says "correct" or rings the bell; you move to the next speller.

Short, consistent phrases keep the bee calm: "Your word is..." "The definition is..." "Here is the sentence..." "Please begin."

Handling tricky moments

• You mispronounced a word. Tell the judges right away. Most rules let the judges give the speller a new word or replace the word if the speller was misled.
• A speller asks for the word "again and again." Repeat it as allowed. If your rules include a time limit, the judges or timekeeper manage it, not you.
• A homonym slips by without a definition. Judges usually accept a correctly spelled homonym if the speller was not told which word was meant.
• An accent or regional pronunciation. Pronounce as marked in the list. If a speller cannot understand you, offer the definition and sentence, which often settle it.
• A nervous young speller freezes. Stay neutral and kind. Repeating the word slowly is fine; coaching is not.

Sound and pacing tips

• Speak a little slower than normal and slightly louder, facing the speller.
• Do not over-enunciate in ways that reveal spelling, such as stressing a silent letter or separating syllables unnaturally.
• Keep the same rhythm for every speller. Rushing late in the bee, when everyone is tired, is the most common unfair moment.
• Have water nearby. A bee can run for an hour or more.

Words that trip up pronouncers

Some words are hard to say, not just to spell. Practice these types until they feel natural:

• Words from other languages: French (croissant, rendezvous), German (schadenfreude), Spanish (quesadilla). Use the list's pronunciation, not your guess.
• Silent letters: subtle, rhythm, mnemonic. Never pronounce the silent letter to "help."
• Stress shifts: photograph vs photographer. Place the stress exactly as marked.
• Words that sound alike: affect and effect, capital and capitol. These need a definition every time.
• Unstressed vowels: separate, definite, privilege. Say them naturally; over-pronouncing the vowel gives away the spelling.

Our list of commonly misspelled words and difficult spelling bee words are good practice material for pronouncers as well as spellers.

Day-of checklist

• Printed word list in order, with homonyms and tricky words highlighted
• A backup list of extra words for the final rounds
• Pen to mark which words have been used
• Microphone tested; stand or table where spellers can see your face
• Water and a watch or visible timer if your rules use time limits
• A quick huddle with the judges five minutes before the start
• The opening announcement: how questions work and what spellers may ask

Opening announcement you can read

"Welcome to our spelling bee. When it is your turn, I will say your word. You may ask me to repeat it, and you may ask for the definition, the part of speech, a sentence and the language of origin. Please say the word before and after you spell it if our rules ask for it. The judges will tell you whether your spelling is correct. Good luck to every speller."

Working with the judges and coordinator

A typical school bee has a coordinator, one pronouncer, two or three judges and someone tracking the word list and round. Before starting, decide together:

• the elimination rule for a round where every remaining speller misses,
• how the championship round works (for example, the last speller must spell one more word correctly to win),
• how appeals will be handled and by whom,
• what to do if the word list runs out (usually an extra list of harder words).

Our guide to running a classroom spelling bee covers these decisions and the event plan, and the adult spelling bee guide adapts them for grown-up fundraisers.

Fun fact: the national pronouncer is a former champion

At the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the long-serving pronouncer Dr. Jacques Bailly won the national bee himself in 1980, at age 14, with the word elucubrate, and has been the official pronouncer since 2003. His calm, even reading is a good model for any school pronouncer.

Frequently Asked Questions