This list includes 34 Simple words that start with K, from “kale” to “knuckle”. They are everyday, high-frequency words useful for early readers, ESL learners, teachers, and parents.

Simple words that start with K are short, commonly used English words that begin with the letter K. Many trace back to Old English or to borrowings from other languages, and they often show the hard /k/ sound in familiar vocabulary.

Below you’ll find the table with Word, Definition, and Etymology.

Word: The actual K-starting item; you use it as the headword for lookup and practice.

Definition: A concise, 10–20 word meaning that helps you understand and teach the word quickly.

Etymology: A one-line origin note showing language source and history to help you teach word background.

Simple words that start with K

WordPart of speechSyllablesOrigin
keynoun1Old English from Germanic ‘cæg’ meaning ‘tool for locking’
kidnoun1Middle English from Old Norse ‘kið’ meaning ‘young goat’
killverb1Old English from Germanic ‘cwellan’ meaning ‘to strike down’
kindadjective1Old English from Germanic ‘gecynd’ meaning ‘nature, type’
kitchennoun2Old English from Latin ‘coquina’ via Old French meaning ‘cooking place’
keepverb1Old English ‘cepan’ meaning ‘to hold or preserve’
kissverb1Old English ‘cyssan’ meaning ‘touch with lips’
kickverb1Old English ‘kiccan’ meaning ‘strike with foot’
kitnoun1Middle English, originally a small container or set
kitenoun1Old English, name of bird later used for toy
knifenoun1Old English/Old Norse ‘knifr’ meaning ‘cutting blade’
kneenoun1Old English ‘cnēow’ meaning ‘joint of the leg’
knockverb1Old English ‘cnocian’ meaning ‘to strike or rap’
knowverb1Old English ‘cnāwan’ meaning ‘to have knowledge’
keenadjective1Old English ‘cēne’ meaning ‘brave or eager’
kettlenoun2Old English/Old Norse ‘ketill’ meaning ‘cooking pot’
kittennoun2Middle English diminutive of ‘kit’ meaning young cat
kingnoun1Old English ‘cyning’ meaning ‘male ruler’
knitverb1Old English ‘cnyttan’ meaning ‘to tie or join’
knotnoun1Old English ‘cnotta’ meaning ‘tied loop’
knowledgenoun2Old English ‘cnāwleċġ’ meaning ‘knowing’
kneelverb1Old English ‘cnēowian’ meaning ‘to bend the knee’
knobnoun1Middle English ‘knobbe’ meaning ’rounded handle’
kindnessnoun2Old English from ‘kind’ plus suffix ‘-ness’ meaning ‘state’
kingdomnoun2Old English ‘cyningdom’ meaning ‘land ruled by a king’
knucklenoun2Old English ‘cnucel’ meaning ‘finger joint’
kneadverb1Old English ‘cnedan’ meaning ‘to press or work’
kalenoun1Middle English/Scots ‘kail’ meaning ‘leafy cabbage’
keenlyadverb2Old English ‘cēne’ with adverbial ‘-ly’ meaning ‘eagerly’
kittenishadjective3Middle English diminutive from ‘kitten’ meaning ‘playful’
knapsacknoun2Germanic via Middle German ‘knappsack’ meaning ‘small pack’
knottyadjective2Old English ‘cnotta’ with ‘-y’ meaning ‘full of knots’
knowledgeableadjective4Old English root ‘cnāwan’ plus suffixes meaning ‘well informed’
keypadnoun2Modern compound of ‘key’ and ‘pad’ from English

Descriptions

key
A small metal object used to open locks or start devices; essential everyday item.
kid
A child or young goat; common informal word for a young person.
kill
To cause death to a living thing; used in news stories and fiction.
kind
Friendly and caring in behaviour; also means a type or sort in other uses.
kitchen
The room in a home where food is cooked and prepared; common household word.
keep
To have or retain something and not give it away; use for possessions or promises.
kiss
To touch with the lips as a greeting or sign of affection; common in family contexts.
kick
To hit with the foot; used literally and in playful or sporting contexts.
kit
A small set of tools or items kept together; common in crafts and hobbies.
kite
A light toy flown in the wind or a bird of prey; common word for children.
knife
A sharp tool for cutting food or materials; everyday kitchen and craft item.
knee
The joint between the thigh and lower leg; note the silent initial k in pronunciation.
knock
To hit a door or surface with the hand to gain attention or entry.
know
To be aware of facts or information; basic verb used in many contexts.
keen
Very eager or enthusiastic; can also mean sharp or intense feeling.
kettle
A pot used for boiling water, often for tea or cooking; common household item.
kitten
A baby cat; a common word for young animals used with children.
king
A male monarch who rules a country; common in stories and history lessons.
knit
To make fabric by looping yarn with needles; also used figuratively for close relationships.
knot
A place where rope or string is tied tightly together; also a problem or tricky point.
knowledge
Information or understanding gained by learning or experience; common abstract noun.
kneel
To bend down so the knee touches the ground often in prayer or respect.
knob
A round handle on a door or drawer that you turn or pull to open something.
kindness
The quality of being friendly or helpful to others; a positive character trait.
kingdom
A country or area ruled by a king or queen; common in fairy tales and history.
knuckle
The joint of a finger where it bends; also used when making a fist to knock.
knead
To press and work dough with hands to make bread; common kitchen action.
kale
A leafy green vegetable similar to cabbage; common in simple food vocabulary.
keenly
With strong interest or enthusiasm; simple adverb used to describe feelings or actions.
kittenish
Playful or lively like a young cat; casual adjective used in informal contexts.
knapsack
A small bag worn on the back for school or hiking; common children’s item.
knotty
Full of tangles or problems; used about rope and tricky situations.
knowledgeable
Having information or understanding about a subject; common descriptive adjective for people.
keypad
A set of buttons used to enter numbers or commands on devices like phones and doors.
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