Words That Start With 'O' For Kids
Table of Contents
The letter O is one of the most important vowels in the English alphabet. It is the 15th letter and is found in many words we use every day. From the orange we eat to the ocean we see on maps, the letter O is all around us.
For children, learning words that start with O is a fun way to build vocabulary, improve spelling, and understand phonics. Parents and teachers can make this learning exciting with pictures, games, and simple examples.
O Words for Kids

Word |
Words |
Words |
Ox |
On |
Oh |
One |
Owl |
Oat |
Oil |
Odd |
Out |
Oak |
Oar |
Open |
Oval |
Oven |
Omit |
Over |
Okay |
Once |
Opal |
Orbit |
Olive |
Onion |
Oasis |
Order |
Ocean |
Other |
Offer |
Orange |
Octopus |
Opposite |
Things That Begin with O
There are so many interesting things that begin with O that children see in their daily life. Learning these words helps kids connect letters to real objects and ideas. Here are some examples:
Foods That Begin With O
Foods |
Foods |
Orange |
Omelet |
Olive |
Oatmeal |
Onion |
Oyster |
Okra |
Oregano |
Orzo (pasta) |
Olive oil |
Animals That Begin With O
Animals |
Animals |
Owl |
Octopus |
Ostrich |
Ox |
Otter |
Opossum |
Ocelot |
Orangutan |
Orca (killer whale) |
Oyster (sea animal) |
Places That Begin With O
Places |
Places |
Oman |
Oslo |
Ontario |
Oxford |
Orlando |
Osaka |
Oakland |
Ottawa |
Ohio |
Oregon |
Household Items That Begin With O
Household Items |
Household Items |
Oven |
Oil |
Opener (bottle/can) |
Ottoman |
Outlet (plug point) |
Organizer |
Overcoat (clothes) |
Ornament |
Office chair |
Outdoor mat |
Random Objects That Begin With O
Objects |
Objects |
Orbit |
Ointment |
Orb |
Oxygen tank |
Origami |
Overpass |
Oar |
Outlet mall |
Obelisk |
Overhead projector |

O Sound Words Lists
Learning words by their length is a fun way for kids to improve spelling and vocabulary. Here are some easy word lists that start with the letter O.
2 Letter O Words
Word |
Word |
ox |
on |
or |
of |
oh |
ok |
ow |
oz |
om |
op |
3 Letter O Words
Word |
Word |
owl |
odd |
old |
one |
out |
our |
oil |
off |
oak |
ore |
4 Letter O Words (4 letter words starting with O)
Word |
Word |
oval |
open |
oven |
only |
over |
onto |
outs |
omit |
okay |
opus |
5 Letter O Words (5 letter words starting with O)
Word |
Word |
olive |
onion |
orbit |
ocean |
ounce |
other |
often |
outer |
opine |
oxide |
6+ Letter O Words (6 letter words starting with O and more)
Word |
Word |
octopus |
ostrich |
orange |
orchid |
oatmeal |
outlet |
observe |
opener |
optimism |
orchestra |
Nouns, Verbs, and Adjectives That Start With O
Nouns That Start With O
Nouns |
Nouns |
Ocean |
Office |
Oil |
Opera |
Orchard |
Owner |
Outfit |
Outlet |
Oven |
Object |
Occasion |
Origin |
Opportunity |
Option |
Orbit |
Outcome |
Order |
Organization |
Oasis |
Ornament |
Ox |
Owl |
Octopus |
Ostrich |
Ore |
Observer |
Verbs That Start With O
Verbs |
Verbs |
Observe |
Organize |
Overcome |
Own |
Offer |
Occupy |
Obey |
Oppose |
Operate |
Originate |
Oversee |
Offset |
Overload |
Overlap |
Open |
Outgrow |
Outline |
Overlook |
Omit |
Overturn |
Overwhelm |
Overachieve |
Outshine |
Outsmart |
Outrun |
Overflow |
Adjectives That Start With O
Adjectives |
Adjectives |
Obedient |
Odd |
Outgoing |
Optimistic |
Official |
Outstanding |
Open |
Open-minded |
Overjoyed |
Overconfident |
Orderly |
Ordinary |
Outspoken |
Observant |
Obvious |
Obliging |
Objective |
Offensive |
Opposite |
Original |
Ornate |
Overwhelming |
Opportunistic |
Omnipresent |
Oily |
Operative |
Positive & Descriptive O Words
Kid-Friendly Positive Words That Start With O
These are simple and positive words children can easily learn and use.
Word |
Meaning |
Outstanding |
Something excellent or very impressive |
Optimistic |
Having a hopeful and positive outlook |
Open-minded |
Willing to listen to and accept new ideas |
Original |
Creative, new, or unique |
Obedient |
Willing to follow rules or directions |
Outgoing |
Friendly and sociable |
Overjoyed |
Extremely happy |
Orderly |
Neat and well-organized |
Observant |
Good at noticing details |
Outstandingly |
In an excellent or impressive way |
Descriptive Adjectives That Start With O
Here are some descriptive words beginning with O, useful for writing and speaking.
Word |
Meaning |
Orange |
A color or fruit name |
Oval |
Shaped like an egg or ellipse |
Old-fashioned |
Not modern; from the past |
Ornamental |
Decorative, made for beauty |
Oily |
Covered with or containing oil |
Official |
Related to authority or rules |
Open |
Not closed; accessible |
Ordinary |
Common, usual, not special |
Orderly |
Organized and tidy |
Outstanding |
Exceptionally good |
Phonics and O Sound Words

Short O Sound Words
Word |
Word |
hot |
dog |
log |
pot |
top |
box |
frog |
sock |
mop |
dot |
Long O Sound Words
Word |
Word |
rose |
home |
stone |
nose |
bone |
rope |
cone |
joke |
hope |
note |
Double O Sound Words
Word |
Word |
moon |
food |
school |
spoon |
room |
cool |
pool |
soon |
noon |
boot |
OE Words
Word |
Word |
toe |
foe |
hoe |
doe |
woe |
oboe |
sloe |
aloe |
throe |
Joe |
Phrasal Verbs & Advanced O Words
English has many useful phrasal verbs and advanced vocabulary starting with the letter O.
Phrasal Verbs That Start with O
Phrasal Verb |
Phrasal Verb |
opt out |
open up |
own up |
opt in |
open onto |
open out |
opt for |
open over |
open around |
open into |
Advanced O Words
Word |
Word |
obligation |
opportunist |
omniscient |
obfuscate |
oscillate |
ostentatious |
obdurate |
oligarchy |
omnipotent |
orthodoxy |
Activities to Teach O Words to Kids
Instead of only reading and memorizing, children can enjoy hands-on games and visuals that make learning long-lasting. Here are some creative activities to learn letter O at home or in the classroom:
- Flashcards - Show kids colorful flashcards with O words like "owl," "orange," "ocean," and "octopus." Encourage them to say the word aloud and trace the letter O with their finger.
- Worksheets - Give worksheets with matching activities, coloring O words, and tracing the big and small O. Worksheets help with writing practice and recognition.
- Phonics Games - Play sound-based games like "Find the O sound!" where kids identify words with short O (dog, log) and long O (home, rope).
- Circle-the-O-Word - Provide a worksheet or board with multiple words; kids circle only the ones starting with O. This sharpens focus and recognition.
- O Word Hunt - Hide objects or cards around the room that start with O (orange, onion, owl toy). Kids must find and name them.
- Story Time with O - Read a short story or rhyme filled with O words and ask kids to clap whenever they hear an O word.
- Craft O Collage - Kids can cut pictures of O words from magazines (or draw them) and paste them on an "O Wall Chart."
- Sing the O Song - Make up a simple rhyme or song with O words and sing along with actions (e.g., "O is for Octopus swimming in the sea!").
- Drawing & Coloring - Ask kids to draw things that start with O and then label them.
- Role Play & Pretend Games - Pretend to be an "Owl" or go to the "Ocean", this makes learning active and memorable.

Learning words that start with the letter O helps children expand their vocabulary, improve pronunciation, and build a strong foundation in language skills. From everyday objects like orange and oven to fascinating animals like owl and octopus, O words make learning engaging and practical. Parents and teachers can make this journey more fun by using phonics, visuals, and interactive activities to reinforce word recognition and sounds. When learning feels playful, kids absorb faster and remember longer.
Related:
- Check out our blog on 'ee' Words for Kids.
- Check out our blog on ‘Sh’ words for kids with pictures.
- Check out our blog on ‘Ph’ words for kids with pictures.
- Check out our blog on 'oa' Words for Kids with Pictures & Worksheets.
- Check out our blog on ‘oo’ Words for Kids to Learn & Practice.
FAQs
1. What are 10 words that start with O?
Some common examples are: Orange, Owl, Ocean, Open, Order, Olive, Oven, Opera, Oasis, Office.
2. What are positive words starting with O?
Positive words include: Optimistic, Outstanding, Openhearted, Original, Obedient, Omnipresent, Overjoyed, Open-minded, Opportunity, Oasis.
3. What is the difference between short O and long O sound?
Short O sound: Found in words like dog, hot, log. It makes the sound like "ah". Long O sound: Found in words like home, stone, rose. It makes the sound like "oh".
4. Give examples of animals that start with O.
Examples include: Owl, Octopus, Ostrich, Otter, Opossum, Ox, Orca (killer whale), Okapi.
5. What are 5-letter words starting with O?
Examples include: Olive, Ocean, Onion, Oasis, Orbit, Outer, Older, Opera, Order, Owner.