Home / Free Study Material / Spell Bee Summer / Class 5 Spell Bee Summer Words / suffocate

Spell Bee Word: suffocate


Basic Details

Word: Suffocate

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To be unable to breathe because there is not enough air, or to stop someone from breathing.

Synonyms: smother, choke, stifle

Antonyms: breathe

How to Spell Suffocate

Syllables: suf - fo - cate

Tricky part: The f is doubled, and the middle vowel is o. Students often write sufocate or suffecate.

Watch out for: sufocate, suffecate, suffocait

Memory tip: Two f's stand side by side like a pair of lungs; then comes o and cate: suf-fo-cate.

Usage Examples

Example 1: Never put a plastic bag over your head; you could suffocate.

Example 2: The thick smoke made the firefighters feel they would suffocate.

Example 3: Weeds can suffocate young plants by covering them completely.

Fun Fact

Suffocate comes from the Latin suffocare, to choke, made from sub, under, and fauces, the throat.

Practise the CREST Way

Word Cookie

Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:

su_f_cate

a) f,o
b) v,o
c) f,e
d) f,a

Show answer

a) f,o. Suffocate doubles the f and has an o in the middle: suf-fo-cate.

Mingle-Mangle

Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:

focsutefa

a) suffrage
b) suffocate
c) suffering
d) sufficient

Show answer

b) suffocate. All four begin with suff, but the jumble has a c, a t and no r or n.

Word Connection

Choose the synonym of the word: suffocate

a) revive
b) release
c) smother
d) breathe

Show answer

c) smother. To smother is to cover something so that it cannot get air.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why can a fish suffocate out of water?

a) It becomes too heavy.
b) It cannot see.
c) It gets too cold.
d) It cannot take in oxygen from the air.

Show answer

d) It cannot take in oxygen from the air.

2. A room with no windows and many people might feel ____.

a) sparkling
b) freezing
c) echoing
d) suffocating

Show answer

d) suffocating

Associated Words

thrillforeignfosterbacteriumexcellent
scheduleimmensefreakplantationsometime

Next steps

How to participate in CREST International Spell Bee

The CREST International Spell Bee (CSB) is conducted in two editions – CREST International Spell Bee - Summer (CSB) and CREST International Spell Bee - Winter (CSBW) – giving students across the globe an opportunity to showcase and enhance their spelling proficiency. Designed for young learners from Senior KG to Class 8, the competition focuses on word-building, pronunciation, and vocabulary enrichment, helping students develop strong linguistic skills.

Steps to Participate:

Step 1: Visit the registration page and complete the registration with your desired subject.

Step 2: After Registration done, do login at www.crestolympiads.com/login.

Step 3: After login, go to dashboard and click on Book slot/Take Exam

Step 4: Schedule your exam date and preferred time.

Step 5: Log in with your credentials on the exam day at the scheduled time and take the exam.

70%