What rhymes with "sum"?
10 rhymes · ends in -um
Every word below ends with the same "-um" sound as "sum". Say them out loud together first — hearing the pattern matters more than seeing it at this stage.
Rhymes for "sum"
- gum
- hum
- bum
- mum
- chum
- drum
- plum
- scum
- slum
- strum
Turn the rhymes into reading
- Say "sum" and one rhyme. Ask: do those sound the same at the end?
- Say "sum" and a word that doesn't rhyme, so they hear the difference.
- Now write "-um" and change only the first letter.
- Read the new words. Your child is reading, not memorising.
Common questions
What rhymes with "sum"?
gum, hum, bum, mum, chum, drum, plum, scum, slum, strum — 10 words in total. They all end with the "-um" sound.
Why do these words rhyme with "sum"?
Because everything from the vowel onwards is identical: "-um". Only the sound at the start changes, which is exactly what makes rhyme families so useful for teaching reading.
How can I use "sum" rhymes to teach reading?
Say the rhymes out loud before showing them written down. Once your child can hear the pattern, write "-um" and swap the first letter — they will read the whole set almost instantly.
Play the rhyming game
Hear two words and decide whether they rhyme — with a real human voice, not a robot.
Play freeTeacher or school? See classroom pricing