What is a high-frequency word?

High-frequency words are commonly used words that students should recognize instantly to improve reading fluency. Recognizing these words automatically allows young readers to focus their cognitive resources on understanding the meaning of the text rather than decoding each individual word. Many high-frequency words are not easily phonetically decodable, making instant recognition crucial for developing smooth reading skills. Mastery of high-frequency words facilitates quicker and more efficient reading, which is essential for overall literacy development.