Can you spell “dirigible?”

Six year-old Lori Anne Madison can — and her skills won her a spot as the youngest contestant ever to compete in the annual National Spelling Bee.

278 boys and girls from ages six to 15 competed in the first round near Washington Wednesday, sponsored by Scripps newspapers.

They were asked to spell such brainteasers as “philately”, the study of stamps; “hafiz,” someone who has memorized the Koran; and “gnathonic,” describing someone who fawns over another person.

The winner of the spelling bee gets nearly $40,000 in cash and prizes.

After easily spelling “dirigible” in the first round, Lori Anne misspelled “ingluvies” by one letter in round two and was eliminated to a round of loud applause.

Ingluvies is part of a bird's esophagus.