60 TH Words for Speech Therapy

This list has 60 TH words for speech therapy: 20 with the /TH/ sound at the beginning, 20 in the middle, and 20 at the end. Use them for practice at home or in the clinic.

Example TH words: think, thing, thick, thin, three (beginning); anything, athlete, athletic, author, bathrobe (middle); bath, both, breath, cloth, earth (end).

Total words:60
Initial:20
Medial:20
Final:20

Initial TH Words (20)

Words with the /TH/ sound at the beginning of words. 20 words for speech therapy practice.

thinkthingthickthinthreethrowthumbthunderthankthiefthirstyThursdaythirtythreadthronethornthirteenthousandthoughtthroat
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Medial TH Words (20)

Words with the /TH/ sound in the middle of words. 20 words for speech therapy practice.

anythingathleteathleticauthorbathrobebathroombathtubbirthdayearthquakeeverythinghealthymarathonmethodmonthsnothingpantherpythonsomethingtoothbrushtoothpaste
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Final TH Words (20)

Words with the /TH/ sound at the end of words. 20 words for speech therapy practice.

bathbothbreathclothearthmathmonthmouthnorthpathsouthteethtoothtruthbeneathgrowthhealthwreathfourthworth
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About the TH Sound

Background information to help you support your child's speech development.

English spells two different sounds with the letters TH. This guide covers the voiceless one — the /TH/ in "think," "three" and "bath," written /θ/. It is made by placing the tongue tip between or just behind the upper front teeth and blowing air over it with the voice off. Its voiced partner, the /TH/ in "this," "mother" and "breathe," is made in exactly the same place with the voice on and has its own guide. Both are among the most commonly misarticulated sounds in English.

Most children master the voiceless /TH/ (as in "think") between ages 6;0 and 6;11 (by their seventh birthday). It is one of the last consonants to develop, and substituting /F/ or /T/ for it is a normal part of speech development in younger children.

How to Practice TH Words at Home

Evidence-based strategies for getting the most out of word list practice.

1

Start with just 5 words at a time. Short, focused practice sessions (5-10 minutes) are more effective than long ones.

2

Say each word slowly and clearly so your child can hear the /TH/ sound. Exaggerate the sound slightly.

3

Practice words in all three positions (initial, medial, final) but focus on whichever position your child finds easiest first.

4

Once individual words are easy, combine them into short phrases and sentences for carryover practice.

5

Use a mirror during practice so your child can see their mouth movements and compare them to yours.

6

Keep it fun — turn the word list into a game, use stickers as rewards, or practice during everyday activities.

TH Words — Frequently Asked Questions

What are some TH words for speech therapy?
Common /TH/ words include think, thing, thick, thin, three at the beginning of a word, anything, athlete, athletic, author, bathrobe in the middle, and bath, both, breath, cloth, earth at the end of a word. This page lists 60 in total.
How many TH words are on this list?
60: 20 initial-position words, 20 medial-position words, and 20 final-position words.
At what age should a child master the TH sound?
Most children master the voiceless /TH/ (as in "think") between ages 6;0 and 6;11 (by their seventh birthday). It is one of the last consonants to develop, and substituting /F/ or /T/ for it is a normal part of speech development in younger children.
How do you make the TH sound?
Stick the tip of your tongue out slightly between your upper and lower front teeth (or place it just behind the upper teeth). Blow air gently over the tongue without using your voice — put a hand on your throat and you should feel nothing. It is a quiet, breathy sound, not a buzz. If you feel a vibration, you have made the voiced /TH/ in "this" instead.
What are common TH sound errors?
The most common /TH/ errors are: Substituting /F/ for /TH/ (e.g., "fink" for "think"); Substituting /T/ for /TH/ (e.g., "tink" for "think"); Substituting /S/ for /TH/ (e.g., "sing" for "thing"); Turning on the voice, which produces the voiced /TH/ in "this" instead; Not bringing the tongue far enough forward, so the sound is muffled.

More TH Sound Resources

Explore our complete guide, position-specific lists, and interactive games for the /TH/ sound.

TH Sound Guide

How to make it, common errors, tips, and FAQ

Initial TH Words

20 words with practice tips and sentences

Medial TH Words

20 words with practice tips and sentences

Final TH Words

20 words with practice tips and sentences

Speech Sound Development Chart

What age each speech sound should appear

All Speech Therapy Word Lists

Word lists for every sound we cover

Speech Therapy Activities

Ways to practice TH words beyond the list

Practice with Games

8 interactive games for the /TH/ sound

Practice TH Words with Interactive Games

Turn this word list into fun practice sessions with pronunciation games, stories, and flashcards targeting the /TH/ sound.

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