What are high-frequency words?

High-frequency words are those that appear often in written texts and are key to developing reading fluency. These words are typically encountered frequently across various types of texts, making them essential for early readers to recognize quickly. Their importance lies not just in the frequency of their occurrence but also in their often irregular spelling, which can be challenging for learners. Mastering these words helps students improve their reading speed and comprehension, as they spend less time decoding them and can focus more on the meaning of the text.

In contrast, high-frequency words do not exclusively appear in academic texts or particular subject areas like science and math, nor are they rare or complex vocabulary. Instead, they are common words that readers encounter regularly in their everyday reading experiences.