Silent B words
In the modern version of the English language, the letter B can be silent in many words. For those who are learning English, it can be challenging to understand as there are no concrete rules to apply to this situation.
Silent B words need to be learned through practice. On this page, there are some useful resources for both teachers and students to do this.
There are 2 instances where the letter B becomes silent. The most common is when B is followed by M. For example – comb, limb, and thumb. There are also occasions when B is not pronounced when it is followed by T such as subtle and doubt.
Silent B words list
The list here contains the same words as the printable PDF at the top of the page. It has been provided here in case you just want to copy and paste some of the words.
Aplomb
Beachcomb
Bethumb
Bomb
Breadcrumb
Buzzbomb
Catacomb
Choliamb
Climb
Cockscomb
Comb
Coomb
Coulomb
Crumb
Currycomb
Debt
Debtor
Diamb
Diiamb
Dislimb
Dithyramb
Divebomb
Doorjamb
Doubt
Dumb
Entomb
Excamb
Gamb
Hecatomb
Hillclimb
Hindlimb
Honeycomb
Iamb
Jamb
Lamb
Limb
Misdoubt
Nimb
Numb
Photobomb
Plumb
Plumber
Redoubt
Rhomb
Ringwomb
Robomb
Scramb
Stinkbomb
Stromb
Subtle
Succumb
Tearthumb
Thumb
Thumbtack
Timebomb
Tomb
Toothcomb
Whitecomb
Womb
Zimb
Silent B words pictures
Below we have 8 printable flashcards that can be used for teaching the silent letter B. You can print 2 sets to play a memory game or cut the words from the bottom of them for a matching activity.
Uncommon words with a silent B
Here are some definitions of lesser-known and used words in the lists above.
Coomb
This can also be spelled as coombe or combe. It is an old English word for a deep narrow valley or hollow. A coomb is also a measurement of volume that was used to measure things such as corn, wheat, and barley.
Dithyramb
This is a kind of song that was sung by Ancient Greek people at festivals in honor of the God Dionysus. Dionysus or Bacchus was the god of revelry among other things and the festivals were known for heavy drinking.
Excamb
This word means exchange or trade. It is often used in reference to the transfer of land and can be found in Scots law, the legal system of Scotland.
Gamb
This is a word for leg, usually that of an animal. It was commonly used to describe legs on coats of arms and emblems. In modern-day slang, it is used to describe a person’s leg. The word most likely originates from the Italian word gamba which also means leg.
Hecatomb
This word comes from Ancient Greece and was the term for an oxen slaughter to the gods. Originally it was for 100 oxen but later on, it was used to describe any large sacrifice. Nowadays hetacomb can be used to describe any large amount of destruction or death.
Iamb
An iamb is a kind of rhythm or metrical pattern used in poetry. Two iambs together are called a diamb or diiamb.
Nimb
This is a kind of large grey rain cloud.
Scramb
To scramb is to scratch something with either claws or nails. The word most probably comes from similar words in Dutch or German.
Zimb
A zimb is a large fly in Ethiopia that is poisonous and harmful to cattle and livestock.
Practice sentences
Here are some simple sentences that learners can read aloud to master some of the words with a silent B.
The lamb had numb limbs.
A plumber climbed for honeycomb.
I doubt there were crumbs in the tomb.
There’s a thumbtack in the doorjamb.
That’s a dumb timebomb.