For educators and parents, focusing on vocabulary with a specific letter and sound can make learning both fun and memorable. This list of things that start with the letter “i” is designed to help introduce new words across different categories, from nouns to animals and plants, perfect for young learners.

Table of Contents
- Nouns that Start with I
- Verbs that Start with I
- Adjectives that Start with I
- Encouraging and Positive Words that Start with I
- Short Words that Start with I
- Foods that Start with I
- Instruments that Start with I
- Occupations and Hobbies that Start with I
- Countries and Places that Start with I
- Languages that Start with I
- Science Words that Start with I
- Animals that Start with I
- Plants that Start with I
- Also See
Nouns that Start with I
- Ink: A colored liquid used for writing or drawing.
- Iguana: A large, long-tailed lizard found in tropical areas, often kept as a pet.
- Iglu: A traditional Inuit dwelling, often made from blocks of snow; the term “iglu” comes from the Inuktitut language.
- Inch: A small unit of measurement.
- Image: A picture or visual representation.
- Illness: A state of poor health.
- Insect: A small animal with six legs and often wings.
- Index: A list that organizes information, often found at the back of books.
- Idol: A person or thing greatly admired.
- Itch: A tingling sensation on the skin.
- Item: An individual thing or unit.
- Iron: A tool used for pressing clothes.
Verbs that Start with I
- Itch: To feel a tingling sensation that makes you want to scratch.
- Inch: To move slowly, little by little.
- Ink: To mark something with ink.
- Ill: To become sick or feel unwell.
- Instill: To gradually introduce an idea or feeling.
- Inhabit: To live or occupy a place.
- Inspire: To fill someone with the urge to do something.
- Insist: To demand something firmly.
- Imprint: To leave a mark or impression on something.
- Invite: To ask someone to come somewhere.
- Insert: To put something into another thing.
- Inspect: To look at something closely to check its condition.
Adjectives that Start with I
- Ideal: Perfect, or most suitable for a purpose.
- Identical: Exactly the same.
- Idle: Not active or in use.
- Idyllic: Extremely pleasant, peaceful, or picturesque.
- Illogical: Not making sense or lacking reason.
- Immense: Very large or vast.
- Imminent: About to happen soon.
- Impartial: Fair and not biased.
- Imperfect: Not perfect; having flaws.
- Impressive: Making a strong impact or admiration.
- Impulsive: Acting quickly without careful thought.
- Inadequate: Not enough or insufficient.
- Incredible: Hard to believe or astonishing.
- Industrious: Hardworking and diligent.
- Infantile: Childish or immature.
- Infectious: Easily spread or transmitted.
- Informal: Casual and relaxed.
- Innovative: Creative and introducing new ideas.
- Insecure: Not confident or unsure.
- Intelligent: Having or showing high mental ability.
- Intense: Very strong, forceful, or powerful.
- Interesting: Captivating or engaging.
- Intrepid: Fearless and adventurous.
- Intricate: Complicated and detailed.
Encouraging and Positive Words that Start with I
- Inspire: To encourage someone to take action.
- Idea: A thought or plan that can lead to something creative.
- Impress: To create a favorable effect.
- Instill: To introduce positive qualities or values.
- Ignite: To spark enthusiasm or excitement.
- Illuminate: To make something clear or to brighten.
- Initiate: To start something important or helpful.
- Innovate: To create something new and original.
- Inclusive: Accepting and welcoming everyone.
- Insight: A clear understanding of something.
- Improve: To make something better.
- Integrity: Being honest and having strong moral principles.
Short Words that Start with I
- If: A word used to introduce a condition.
- In: A word indicating location within something.
- It: A word used to refer to a thing.
- Is: A verb form of “to be.”
- Ill: Feeling sick or unwell.
- Ice: Frozen water.
- Ink: A liquid used for writing.
- Ivy: A type of climbing plant.
- Imp: A small, mischievous creature.
- Inn: A small place to stay, often used by travelers.
- Icy: Covered with ice.
- Id: Part of the psyche in psychoanalysis.
Foods that Start with I
- Icing: A sweet topping used on cakes and pastries.
- Indian Fig: A type of cactus fruit.
- Instant Noodles: Pre-cooked noodles ready in minutes.
- Idli: A savory rice cake popular in South India.
- Italian Ice: A sweet, frozen dessert similar to sorbet.
- Iced Tea: Cold tea, often sweetened.
- Irish Soda Bread: A type of bread made with baking soda.
- Ice Cream: A frozen dessert made from cream and sugar.
- Iced Coffee: Cold coffee, often served with ice cubes.
- Iced Doughnut: A sweet pastry with icing on top.
- Iced Cake: A cake covered in icing.
Instruments that Start with I
- Igil: A traditional two-stringed instrument from Tuva.
- Idakka: A small drum from South India.
- Ikembe: A type of African thumb piano.
- Irish Flute: A wooden flute often used in Irish music.
- Iron Bells: Metal bells used in traditional music.
- Ilimba: A thumb piano from Tanzania.
- Ipu: A Hawaiian percussion instrument made from a gourd.
- Iroko Drum: A West African drum made from iroko wood.
- Indian Sitar: A plucked string instrument from India.
- Irish Harp: A small, triangular harp used in Irish music.
- Iron Guitar: A guitar with iron strings for a unique sound.
- Icelandic Langspil: A bowed instrument from Iceland.
Occupations and Hobbies that Start with I
- Inventor: Someone who creates new things.
- Instructor: A person who teaches a subject or skill.
- Inspector: Someone who examines things closely.
- Illustrator: An artist who creates images for books or media.
- Interpreter: A person who translates spoken language.
- Innkeeper: Someone who manages an inn.
- Instructor: A person who provides instruction.
- Investor: Someone who allocates money in the hopes of future gain.
- Installer: A person who puts equipment or devices in place.
- Ice Sculptor: An artist who carves ice into shapes.
- Impressionist Artist: A painter who works in the impressionist style.
- Ironworker: A person who builds with iron.
Countries and Places that Start with I
- India: A large country in South Asia.
- Iceland: An island nation in the North Atlantic.
- Italy: A European country known for art and cuisine.
- Iowa: A state in the United States.
- Idaho: A state in the United States.
- Indiana: A U.S. state in the Midwest.
- Ibiza: An island in Spain, famous for its beaches.
- Iran: A country in the Middle East.
- Izmir: A city in Turkey.
- Inverness: A city in Scotland.
- Incheon: A port city in South Korea.
- Ireland: An island nation in Europe.
Languages that Start with I
- Igbo: A language spoken in Nigeria.
- Ilocano: A language spoken in the Philippines.
- Inuktitut: A language spoken by Inuit people in Canada.
- Iban: A language spoken in Malaysia and Borneo.
- Ido: An international auxiliary language.
- Icelandic: The official language of Iceland.
- Ijo: A language spoken in Nigeria.
- Ifugao: A language spoken in the Philippines.
- Innu: A language spoken by Indigenous people in Canada.
- Inupiaq: A language spoken by the Inupiat people in Alaska.
- Illyrian: An ancient language spoken in the Balkans.
- Istriot: A Romance language spoken in the Istria region of Croatia.
Science Words that Start with I
- Ion: An atom or molecule with an electric charge.
- Igneous: A type of rock formed from cooled lava or magma.
- Insect: A small animal with six legs and often wings.
- Inhale: To breathe air into the lungs.
- Infection: The invasion of the body by harmful microorganisms.
- Impulse: A sudden urge or signal in the nervous system.
- Impact: The forceful contact or collision between objects.
- Inertia: The tendency of an object to resist changes in motion.
- Insulin: A hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.
- Instinct: An inborn behavior in animals for survival.
- Invert: To turn upside down or reverse.
- Iris: The colored part of the eye that controls the pupil.
Animals that Start with I
- Ibex: A type of wild mountain goat with long, curved horns.
- Impala: A medium-sized antelope found in Africa.
- Ibis: A wading bird with long legs and a curved beak.
- Indri: A large lemur native to Madagascar.
- Inchworm: A small caterpillar known for its looping movement.
Plants that Start with I
- Ivy: A climbing plant with green, often glossy leaves.
- Iris: A colorful flowering plant with large petals.
- Indigo: A plant used to make blue dye.
- Indian Fig: A type of cactus that bears edible fruit.
- Indian Paintbrush: A wildflower known for its vibrant colors.
- Ice Plant: A succulent with leaves covered in tiny, ice-like crystals.
- Italian Cypress: A tall, slender evergreen tree.
- Indian Mustard: A plant grown for its edible leaves and seeds.
- Iceland Moss: A lichen found in cold regions, often used in herbal remedies.
- Inkberry: A type of holly bush with small black berries.
- Ironweed: A tall wildflower with purple flowers.
- Italian Parsley: A flat-leaf herb used in cooking.
Flowers that Start with I

Adjectives that Start with I

Winter Words that Start with I

Things That Start with I

Christmas Words that Start with i

Gabrielle Kotkov is an AMI-trained 3-6 Montessorian and educational consultant. She has a Master's Degree in Child Studies and is certified in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). She is particularly interested in the intersection between Montessori education and multilingualism, which led her to create the Multilingual Montessori website and podcast. Gabrielle has taught in schools in NYC, Sicily, London, and Austin, and is currently on the teaching faculty of the West Side Montessori School Teacher Education Program, an AMS training center in NYC.