2nd Grade · Core Spelling
OI and OY Words
Words with the OI and OY diphthong — a vowel sound that glides from one position to another, as in oil, coin, boy, and enjoy.
These spelling words are a good fit for students who...
- can read and spell familiar vowel-team words
- can hear the shared vowel sound in “coin” and “toy”
- have spelled other vowel-team words, such as ee or ea, earlier in 2nd Grade
Word list
The 10 words to practice in this step
2nd Grade · Core Spelling
- boy
- coin
- enjoy
- joy
- noise
- oil
- point
- soil
- toy
- voice
10 words
Spelling Skill
OI and OY Words
Learn how this spelling pattern works, see examples, common mistakes, and teaching guidance.
Explore the OI and OY skill →Why these words — and what they teach
The same vowel sound appears in coin and boy, but its spelling usually changes with its place in the word. This list gives second graders a useful, concrete choice to practice.
These words show oi inside a word, as in coin, oil, and voice, and oy at the end, as in boy, joy, and toy. Enjoy helps children notice the end of a syllable inside a longer word. The linked Skill page gives fuller guidance and exceptions.
How to practice this list
Say each word and ask whether the target sound comes inside the word or at the end. Sort under oi and oy, then mix the words for dictation and have your child underline the vowel team.
A child may write boi or coyn after choosing a reasonable spelling for the sound. Confirm the sound, ask where it occurs, and compare with boy or coin before the child revises.
Move on when your child can hear the target sound, choose oi or oy by position in these words, and correct an occasional swap using an anchor word.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the OI/OY sound?
- OI and OY usually spell a diphthong, which means the mouth glides from one vowel sound to another. Children hear it in words like 'oil,' 'boy,' and 'voice.'
- When should a child use OI instead of OY?
- OI is usually used in the middle of a word or syllable, as in 'coin' and 'point.' OY is usually used at the end, as in 'boy' and 'joy.'
- How is OI/OY different from OA/OW?
- OA and long-O OW spell the steady long-o sound heard in 'boat' and 'snow.' OI and OY spell a gliding sound, so 'boy' does not rhyme with 'snow.'
- Why include words like 'soil' and 'oil'?
- They are common science and everyday words where the OI team is easy to see. Practicing them helps students connect spelling work to words they meet outside a spelling lesson.