IR Words
A searchable IR word list for vocalic R practice, filterable by syllables and word type.
IR is the vocalic R spelled with an i, as in bird, shirt, and girl. It sounds the same as ER and UR in most American English. The lists are kept apart because that is how the target is usually taught and looked up.
All IR words (70)
Search the full list, or filter by position (initial, medial, final), word type, and syllable count. Every word is grouped by sound, not spelling.
70 results of 70 IR words
Medial IR (64)
Final IR (6)
How to make the IR sound
A vocalic R is R acting as the vowel of the syllable rather than as a consonant, as in car, water, and bird. The tongue shape is the same as consonantal R, but there is no vowel for it to lean on, which is why vocalic R often lingers after initial R is already correct. It commonly is not accurate until age 6 or 7.
Developmental ages from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
IR sound questions
In most American English, no. Bird, herd, and word all use the same vowel. The three lists exist because materials and searches are organized by spelling.