What are the 72 tricky words?

What Are the 72 Tricky Words in Jolly Phonics?

When learning to read, some words don’t follow the usual phonics rules. These are often called “tricky words” — words that can’t be sounded out easily and need to be learned by sight. In the Jolly Phonics reading program, the Blue Level introduces many of these, forming part of a broader list that supports early reading development.

The idea behind the "72 tricky words" isn’t about memorizing a fixed number, but rather mastering high-frequency words that appear often in children’s texts. While the exact list evolves across levels, common examples include was, were, said, because, could, should, would, do, does, come, once, made, right, other, their, many, any, want, and very. These words are tricky because their spelling doesn’t match standard phonetic patterns — for instance, “was” doesn’t sound like it looks.

Children encounter these words early and often. Instead of decoding them letter by letter, they learn to recognize them instantly, which helps build fluency and confidence. The Jolly Phonics program introduces these words gradually, integrating them into short, engaging stories so kids see them in context.

Teachers and parents play a big role by reinforcing these words through repetition, flashcards, and reading aloud. Over time, repeated exposure helps children internalize them naturally. It’s not about rote learning alone — it’s about meaningful, consistent practice.

While the term “72 tricky words” may sound specific, it’s more of a milestone than a strict curriculum point. The real goal? To equip young readers with the tools to tackle real books with confidence, one tricky word at a time.