English spelling can be tricky, and one of the reasons is silent letters. A silent letter is a letter that appears in the spelling of a word but is not pronounced when speaking. One common silent letter is “B.”
In this article, you’ll learn:
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The rules for when “B” is silent.
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A full list of common words with silent “B.”
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Examples and tips to help you remember.
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, mastering silent B words will make your English more natural and fluent.
Rules for Silent B Words
Why Is “B” Silent in Some Words?
The letter B is often silent because of the history of English. Many words came from Latin, Old French, or Old English. Over time, the pronunciation changed, but the spelling stayed the same.
In most cases, “B” is silent when it comes after “M” or before “T.”
Rule 1: Silent B After M
When B comes right after M at the end of a word, it is not pronounced.
Examples:
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climb /klaɪm/ (not climb-b)
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thumb /θʌm/
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comb /koʊm/
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womb /wuːm/
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numb /nʌm/
👉 Tip: Think of “MB” at the end as just “M.”
Rule 2: Silent B Before T
When B comes before T, it is also silent.
Examples:
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doubt /daʊt/
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debt /det/
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subtle /ˈsʌtl/
👉 Tip: The “BT” combination sounds just like “T.”
Common Silent B Words
Here’s a list of useful words with a silent B:
| Word | IPA |
|---|---|
| lamb | /læm/ |
| dumb | /dʌm/ |
| comb | /koʊm/ |
| climb | /klaɪm/ |
| thumb | /θʌm/ |
| numb | /nʌm/ |
| plumber | /ˈplʌmər/ |
| bomb | /bɒm/ or /bɑːm/ |
| tomb | /tuːm/ |
| crumb | /krʌm/ |
| debt | /det/ |
| doubt | /daʊt/ |
| subtle | /ˈsʌtəl/ |
| limb | /lɪm/ |
| climb | /klaɪm/ |
| apoplembic | /ˌæpəˈplɛmɪk/ |
| almbic | /ˈæmbɪk/ |
| succumb | /səˈkʌm/ |
| bombard | /bɒmˈbɑːrd/ (first B silent) |
| jamb | /dʒæm/ |
Tips to Remember Silent B Words
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Remember the rule: after M and before T = silent B.
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Say the word slowly: “climb” → “clai-m”.
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Practice with flashcards or reading aloud.
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Use a dictionary with IPA (phonetic spelling) to check pronunciation.
Example Sentences with Silent B Words
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I need to comb my hair before the meeting.
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The baby held my thumb tightly.
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She felt numb after the shocking news.
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He was full of doubt about the decision.
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The plumber came to fix the sink.
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We visited the king’s tomb in the old city.
Silent B words may look confusing, but with a few simple rules, they are easy to master. Most of the time, “B” is silent after M or before T. By practicing common words like thumb, comb, debt, and doubt, you’ll sound more natural and confident when speaking English.