The -ate word family
12 words that rhyme
Every word here ends in "-ate". Keep the ending on the page and change only the sound at the front — that one trick turns a single decoded word into a whole list your child can read.
All -ate words
- date
- fate
- gate
- hate
- late
- mate
- rate
- crate
- plate
- skate
- slate
- state
How to run a five-minute session
- Say the ending "-ate" three times together.
- Add one sound in front and read: date.
- Swap the first sound and read again — fate, gate, hate.
- Read the whole list top to bottom, then shuffled.
- Finish by having your child write two of the words from memory.
Printable sheet
-ate word family worksheet
Read each -ate word aloud, then trace it. Circle your two favourites and use them in a sentence.
Name: ______________________ Date: ____________
Common questions
What words are in the -ate family?
date, fate, gate, hate, late, mate, rate, crate, plate, skate, slate, state — 12 words in total, all ending in "-ate".
What is a -ate word?
A word that ends with the letters and sound "-ate". Because the ending never changes, a child only has to decode the first sound.
How do you teach the -ate word family?
Write "-ate" once and keep it fixed. Change only the letter in front, one at a time, and have your child read each new word aloud. Ten words in five minutes is normal.
Play the -ate game
Sound Wheels spins the first sound while the ending stays put — kids read the whole family without noticing.
Play freeTeacher or school? See classroom pricing