UR Words
A searchable UR word list for vocalic R practice, filterable by syllables and word type.
UR is the vocalic R spelled with a u, as in turn, purse, and church. It sounds the same as ER and IR in most American English, and it is kept as its own list because that is how it is usually taught and searched.
All UR words (208)
Search the full list, or filter by position (initial, medial, final), word type, and syllable count. Every word is grouped by sound, not spelling.
208 results of 208 UR words
Medial UR (139)
Final UR (69)
How to make the UR 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.
UR sound questions
In most American English they are one sound with three spellings. Turn, term, and firm all use the same vowel.