Learning to read can be challenging, especially with letter combinations that don’t sound the way they look.

One essential pair to master early on is the “qu” digraph. This letter team makes the /kw/ sound and appears in many everyday words, such as “queen,” “quick,” “square,” and “question.”

Helping kids recognize and pronounce “qu” words correctly builds strong phonics skills and boosts reading confidence.

No matter if you’re a teacher guiding a class, a parent helping at home, or a young reader yourself, about words with qu in them is a key step toward literacy success.

This blog is packed with valid “qu” words, practice tips, and examples to make learning this digraph simple, fun, and effective.

What is the QU Digraph?

A digraph is when two letters come together to make one sound. In the case of “qu,” the letters “q” and “u” team up to create the /kw/ sound, like in “queen” or “quick.”

Unlike blends, where both letter sounds are heard, a digraph creates a single new sound. The “qu” digraph is special because the letter Q rarely appears alone in English.

Teaching kids that “qu” says /kw/ helps them sound out and read many common words.

This concept is key in early phonics and lays the groundwork for understanding more advanced vocabulary later on.

QU Words Segregated by Position

The qu digraph appears in three main positions within words, and recognizing these patterns helps readers become more fluent and confident.

Understanding word positioning makes it easier to decode unfamiliar words and improves overall reading skills.

QU Words at the Beginning

Words that start with the qu sound are often the easiest for children to recognize and pronounce. These initial words with qu in them help students connect the written digraph with the spoken sound clearly.

1. quack

2. quad

3. quaff

4. quail

5. quaint

6. quake

7. qualification

8. qualified

9. qualifier

10. qualify

11. quality

12. qualm

13. quandary

14. quantifiable

15. quantification

16. quantify

17. quantity

18. quantum

19. quarantine

20. quark

21. quarry

22. quart

23. quarter

24. quarterback

25. quarterdeck

26. quarterfinal

27. quarterly

28. quartet

29. quartz

30. quash

31. quasi

32. quaternary

33. quaver

34. quay

35. queasy

36. queen

37. queendom

38. queenly

39. queer

40. quell

41. quench

42. querulous

43. query

44. quest

45. question

46. questionable

47. questioner

48. questionnaire

49. queue

50. quibble

51. quiche

52. quick

53. quicken

54. quicker

55. quickest

56. quickly

57. quicksand

58. quid

59. quiet

60. quieter

61. quietest

62. quietly

63. quietude

64. quiff

65. quill

66. quilter

67. quilting

68. quilt

69. quintet

70. quintuple

71. quip

72. quipped

73. quipping

74. quirk

75. quirky

76. quirt

77. quit

78. quite

79. quitter

80. quitting

81. quiver

82. quixotic

83. quiz

84. quizzical

85. quizzed

86. quizzes

87. quizzing

88. quotha

89. quoad

90. quokka

91. quoll

92. quo

93. quorate

94. quorum

95. quota

96. quotable

97. quotation

98. quote

99. quoter

100. quoting

101. quotidian

102. quintic

103. quintillion

104. quinquagenarian

105. quinquennial

106. quasar

107. qubit

108. quackery

109. quadrangle

110. quadrant

111. quadrate

112. quadratic

113. quadriceps

114. quadrilateral

115. quadrille

116. quadriplegia

117. quadruped

118. quadruple

119. quadruplet

120. quadruplication

121. quahog

122. quaintly

123. quaternion

124. quantal

125. quantize

126. quantized

127. quantizing

128. quantumly

129. quarreled

130. quarreling

131. quarrelsome

132. quarrel

133. quarried

134. quarrying

135. quarreler

QU Words in the Middle

Words with qu in the middle position can be trickier to spot, but are equally important for reading development. These medial words with qu in them help students recognize the digraph when it’s embedded within longer words.

136. acquiesce

137. acquire

138. acquisition

139. acquit

140. acquittal

141. aqueduct

142. aquamarine

143. aquarium

144. aquifer

145. aquatic

146. antiquate

147. antiquated

148. antiquity

149. baroque

150. conquer

151. boutique

152. torque

153. burlesque

154. cheque

155. grotesque

156. marquise

157. bisque

158. mosque

159. mystique

160. antique

161. unique

162. risqué

163. physique

164. arabesque

165. technique

166. plaque

167. marquee

168. masquerade

169. equator

170. equation

171. equine

172. equity

173. equable

174. equably

175. adequate

176. inadequacy

177. unequal

178. disqualify

179. prerequisite

180. tranquil

181. tranquility

182. loquacious

183. eloquent

184. colloquial

QU Words at the End

Words with qu in them are less common in English but appear frequently in borrowed words from French. These final qu words complete the pattern recognition needed for full qu digraph mastery.

185. antique

186. arabesque

187. baroque

188. burlesque

189. cheque

190. discotheque

191. grotesque

192. mosque

193. oblique

194. opaque

195. plaque

196. picturesque

197. prologue

198. silhouette

199. unique

200. boutique

201. barbeque

202. torque

203. technique

Multi-Syllable QU Words

Multi-syllable words with qu in them digraphs help students tackle more complex vocabulary and improve their reading fluency.

204. equable

205. equably

206. equal

207. equality

208. equalization

209. equalize

210. equalized

211. equalizer

212. equanimity

213. equate

214. equation

215. equator

216. equatorial

217. equerry

218. equestrian

219. equiangular

220. equidistant

221. equilateral

222. equinoctial

223. equinox

224. equip

225. equipment

226. equipped

227. equipping

228. equitable

229. equitably

230. equitation

231. equivocal

232. equivocate

233. equivocally

234. equivocation

235. equivocating

236. unequal

237. unequally

238. inequality

239. inequitable

240. inequitably

241. inadequate

242. adequate

243. adequately

244. inadequately

245. prerequisite

246. requisition

247. soliloquy

248. colloquialism

249. inquisition

250. disquisition

251. acquisitive

252. acquired

253. acquiring

254. liquid

255. liquefy

256. liquefaction

257. liquidate

258. liquidated

259. liquidation

260. liquidator

261. liquidity

262. liquor

263. liqueur

264. obliquely

265. obliqueness

266. statuesque

267. quintessence

268. quintessential

269. quintuplet

270. ventriloquist

271. inquisitive

272. eloquently

273. eloquence

274. frequency

275. frequent

276. frequently

277. infrequent

278. infrequently

279. sequel

280. sequence

281. sequential

282. sequentially

283. consequent

284. consequently

285. consequence

286. consequential

287. subsequent

288. subsequently

289. subsequence

290. equivalent

291. equivalence

292. adequacy

293. quant

294. quantified

295. quantifying

296. quantifiable

297. quantification

298. quantity

299. quantities

300. quietness

301. quizzer

302. quizmasters

303. quizzers

304. quintet

305. quintic

306. quintillion

307. quadrupedal

308. quadruplication

309. quadrupled

310. quandary

311. quantile

312. quartile

313. quenched

314. quencher

315. quenches

316. quenching

317. querist

318. questioner

319. questionnaire

320. questioning

321. queued

Sentences for Reading Practice

Each sentence contains multiple words with qu in them for concentrated practice.

• The queen quickly quilted a square quilt while sitting quietly in her quarters.
• Equal quantities of liquid were required to rescue the earthquake victims adequately.
• The quarterback’s unique technique helped his squad squeeze through the quarter-finals.
• Frequent questions about the antique vase intrigued the boutique owner’s curiosity.
• The squirrel squirmed and squeaked when the quiet child tried to rescue it.
• Adequate equipment was required to conquer the challenging quest for buried treasure.
• The eloquent speaker’s subsequent speech about equality left the audience quite moved.
• Quick quiz questions helped students acquire knowledge about ancient conquest stories.
• The unique boutique displayed exquisite antiques and handcrafted quilts for sale.
• Frequent earthquakes in the quarry required workers to question their safety procedures.

These sentences demonstrate how qu words work naturally in context, helping students understand meaning while practicing pronunciation.

YouTube Picks for Qu Sound Learning Fun

Visual and auditory learners thrive with video content. These engaging clips reinforce “qu” pronunciation and spelling through repetition and fun contexts.

-By Kids Can! READ and WRITE!

-By Little Learners

-By Miss Phonics

Teaching Tips and Strategies

Teaching qu words is easier when you keep it simple, fun, and hands-on. These tips help kids remember and apply the /kw/ sound in everyday reading.

• Teach Q and U as “best friends” that stick together
• Start with simple qu words like quiz and quit
• Use picture cards and anchor charts for visual support
• Add fun games like “Queen’s Quest” to boost interest
• Practice writing qu words in sand, air, or with magnets
• Read books with qu words to hear them in real sentences

These activities make learning the qu digraph fun and memorable for young readers.

Bottom Line

Mastering qu digraph words lays the groundwork for reading success and lifelong learning. These letter pairs show up in books, schoolwork, and everyday speech.

Once students grasp how the “qu” sound is used at the beginning, middle, or end of words, they gain access to hundreds of applicable vocabulary terms.

No matter if you’re guiding a class or supporting a child at home, every little improvement counts. Celebrate each new word mastered.

Over time, the qu sound will become automatic, helping young readers build fluency and confidence.