Four Letter Words
First, let's look at why you should take the time to learn your four letter words. Many four letter words...
- are hooks on three letter words, giving you openings for your bingo.
- enable you to balance your rack when you have too many vowels or too many consonants.
- are high-scoring, allowing you to maintain scoring momentum in between bingos.
- have inflections that are seven letters or longer, thereby increasing your bingo knowledge.
If you're aspiring to be an excellent Scrabble player you should learn all the two letter words (without fail!) and you should also master the three letter words as flawlessly as possible. I can recommend this because the number of these words is manageable (even though it doesn't feel like it when you're just starting out). In particular, there are only 124 two letter words, and 1292 three letter words.
The situation with four letter words is a bit different, because there are 5454 four letter words in all! Although a tiny number of world class Scrabble players have managed to learn all of the four letter words almost perfectly, most players settle for something less.
The obvious question then is this... If you are to learn only a subset of all the four letter words, which ones should you choose? Although there is no black and white answer to this question, I've made this task easier for you by selecting around 1000 four letter words that will benefit you most frequently in Scrabble games.
Even if you decide to go beyond this list to attempt all of them, starting with the four letter words on this page will lead to a very rapid acceleration in your performance.
I've divided my recommended list of four letter words into groups to make them easier to learn, and explained why each group of four letter words is important in a Scrabble game.
The groups are...
- Vowel-Heavy Four Letter Words
- Consonant-Heavy Four Letter Words
- Four Letter Words Containing 'J'
- Four Letter Words Containing 'Q'
- Four Letter Words Containing 'X'
- Four Letter Words Containing 'Z'
At the end of this page you'll also find a couple of handy resources I recommend you use to help master these word lists.
Vowel-Heavy Four Letter Words
Aside from the usual importance of having a balanced rack, vowel-heavy racks are particularly dangerous since they have very little scoring potential - all the vowel tiles have a face value of only '1'. The sooner you can replace a vowel-heavy rack with some consonants, the better.
There is only one four letter word containing all vowels and that is the word EUOI (a cry of Bacchic frenzy - in case you were wondering). If you haven't already seen this one, you'll meet it over and over again in your Scrabble games as you and your opponent desperately attempt to fix up a rack of vowels. EUOI is to Scrabble players, as ETUI is to Crossworld solvers.
Although only one of the four letter words contains all vowels, there are 93 four letter words containing three vowels and one consonant. These words will help you time and time again to offload some of your excess vowel baggage and clean up your rack, without having to continually exchange your tiles.
Here they are...
ACAIa berry of the Brazilian rainforests [n -S]
AEONa vast age, also EON [n -S] AEROair [n -S] AGEEto one side [adv] AGIOa premium paid for the exchange of currency [n -S] AGUEa malarial fever [n -S] AIASAIA, in India, a maid or nurse, also AYAH [n] AIDEan assistant [n -S] AIGAan extended family (Samoa), also AINGA [n -S] AINEelder (masculine form) [adj] AITUa Polynesian demigod [n -S] AJEEoff the straight [adv] AKEEan African tree [n -S] ALAEALA, in biology, any flat winglike projection [n] ALEEtoward the side of a vessel sheltered from the wind [adv] ALOEan African plant [n -S] AMIAa freshwater fish [n -S] AMIEa female friend [n -S] ANOAa wild ox [n -S] AQUAwater [n AQUAS or AQUAE] AREAa region [n AREAS or AREAE] ARIAan accompanied vocal solo [n -S] ASEAat sea [adv] ATUAthe spirit of an ancestor (Polynesia) [n -S] AULAa hall (a large room for assembly) [n -S] AUNEmeasure of length [n -S] AURAa subtle emanation [n AURAS or AURAE] AUTOto ride in an automobile [v -ED, -ING, -S] AWEEawhile (for a short time) [adv] BEAUa boyfriend [n BEAUS or BEAUX] CIAOan informal greeting [interj CIAOS] EALEevil (wickedness or depravity) [n -S] EASEto free from pain or trouble [v EASED, EASING, EASES] EAUSEAU, a river or water [n] EAUXEAU, a river or water [n] EAVEthe projecting edge of a roof [n -S] EIDEEIDOS, an essence (a fundamental nature) [n] EINAouch (South African) [interj] EINEeyes [n] EMEUan emu (a large flightless bird) [n -S] EOANpertaining to dawn [adj] EPEEa type of sword [n -S] ETUIa needle case, also ETWEE [n -S] EUGEwell done [interj] EUOIexpressing Bacchic frenzy, also EVOE, EVHOE, EVOHE [interj] EUROa large kangaroo [n -S] EVOEexpressing Bacchic frenzy, also EUOI, EVHOE, EVOHE [interj] HIOIa New Zealand mint plant [n -S] HUIAa New Zealand bird [n -S] IDEAa conception or a plan [n -S] IDEEan idea (a conception or a plan) [n -S] ILEAILEUM, a part of the small intestine [n] ILIAILIUM, a bone of the pelvis [n] INIAINION, a part of the skull [n] IOTAa Greek letter [n -S] IUREby right or by law [adv] IXIAa flowering plant [n -S] JIAOa monetary unit of China, also CHIAO [n -S] KAIEa wharf [n -S] KUIAan elderly Maori woman [n -S] LIEUplace; stead [n -S] LUAUa Hawaiian feast [n -S] MEOUcry like a cat, also MEOW, MIAOU, MIAOW, MIAUL [v -ED, -ING, -S] MOAIa huge carved figure on Easter Island [n MOAI]
MOOIfine (delicate) [adj] MOUEa pout [n -S] NAOINAOS, a Greek temple [n] OBIAan African witchcraft [n -S] OBOEa woodwind instrument [n -S] ODEAODEUM, a concert hall, also ODEON [n] OGEEan S shaped moulding [n -S] OHIAa tropical tree [n -S] OLEAOLEUM, oil [n] OLEOmargarine [n -S] OLIOa miscellaneous collection [n -S] ONIEany (Scots), also ONY [adj] OOSEfluff [n -S] OOZEto leak slowly [v OOZED, OOZING, OOZES] OUMAgrandmother (Afrikaans) [n -S] OUPAgrandfather (Afrikaans) [n -S] OUZOa Greek liqueur [n -S] PAUAabalone, also PAWA [n -S] QUAIa wharf, also QUAY [n -S] RAIAa non-Muslim inhabitant of Turkey, also RAYAH, RAYA [n -S] ROUEa lecherous man [n -S] TOEAa monetary unit of Papua New Guinea [n -S] UNAIa two-toed sloth, also UNAU [n -S] UNAUa two-toed sloth, also UNAI [n -S] URAOa chemical compound, also NATRON [n -S] UREAa chemical compound [n -S] UVAEUVA, also UVAS [n] UVEAa layer of the eye [n -S] VIAEVIA, a way [n] ZOEAthe larval stage of crabs, also ZOOEA [n ZOEAS or ZOEAE]
Consonant-Heavy Four Letter Words
As it is easier to score well from a consonant-heavy rack than a vowel-heavy rack, being laden with too many consonants is not quite as disastrous as being laden with too many vowels.
Nonetheless, you will still frequently come across tight board positions where a rack full of consonants will constipate you unless you act on it.
Once again, the way to act on it is to master all of the small words containing lots of consonants. Whereas only one of the four letter words contains all vowels, 47 of the four letter words contain all consonants.
Here they are...
BRRRused to indicate that one is cold, also BRR [interj]
BYRLto carouse [v -ED, -ING, -S]
CWMSCWM, a deep basin on a mountain, also CIRQUE, CORRIE [n]
CYSTa sac (a pouchlike structure in an animal or plant) [n -S]
DRYSDRY, a prohibitionist [n]
FYRDlocal militia in Anglo-Saxon times [n -S]
GYMPto trim with gimp [v -ED, -ING, -S]
GYMSGYM, a room for athletic activities [n]
GYNYgynaecology [n GYNIES]
GYPSGYP, to swindle, also GIP [v]
HWYLemotional fervour [n -S]
HYMNto sing a song of praise to god [v -ED, -ING, -S]
HYPSHYP, to offend [v]
JYNXthe wryneck, a bird related to the woodpecker [n -ES]
KYNDto beget, also KYNDE [v -ED, -ING, -S]
LYCHa corpse, also LICH [n LYCHES]
LYMSLYM, a leash, also LYAM, LYME [n]
LYNXa short-tailed wildcat [n -ES]
MYCSMYC, a cancer-causing gene [n]
MYTHa type of traditional story, also MYTHOS, MYTHUS [n -S]
PFFTused to express a sudden ending [interj]
PRYSan old spelling of PRICE [n -ES]
PSSTused to attract attention [interj]
RYNDan iron support [n -S]
SCRYto engage in crystal gazing [v SCRIED or SCRYDESCRYING, SCRIES]
SKRYto decry [v SKRIED, SKRYING, SKRIES]
SKYFto smoke (South African) [v -ED, -ING, -S]
SKYRcurd [n -S]
SPRYnimble [adj SPRIER, SPRIEST, SPRYER, SPRYEST]
SYNCto cause to operate in unison, also SYNCH [v -ED, -ING, -S]
SYNDto rinse [v -ED, -ING, -S]
SYPHa venereal disease, also SYPHILIS [n -S]
TRYPshort for trypanosome (a flagellate protozoon) [n -S]
TSKSTSK, to utter an exclamation of annoyance, also TSKTSK [v]
TYGSTYG, an old drinking-cup [n]
TYMPthe plate on a blast-furnace [n -S]
TYNDTIND, to kindle (to cause to burn) [v]
TYPPa unit of yarn size [n -S]
TYPYconforming to the strict characteristics of a group, also TYPEY[adj TYPIER, TYPIEST]
WHYSWHY, the reason or cause of something [n]
WYCHa tree [n -ES]
WYNDa narrow alley [n -S]
WYNNa rune denoting bliss, also WYN [n -S]
WYNSWYN, a rune denoting bliss, also WYNN [n]
XYSTa training area in ancient Greece, also XYSTUS, XYSTOS [n -S]
YMPTYMPE, to graft [v]
ZZZSsleep [n ZZZS]
Heavy Four Letter Words
The heavy four letter words are defined as those containing a 'J', 'Q', 'X', or 'Z'. These tiles are among the ten so-called power tiles of Scrabble. The other power tiles are the blanks and 'S' tiles. They are called power tiles for a reason - they enable you to do some power scoring (although the 'Q' is really a mixed-fortune tile).
With practice you can, and should, come to know virtually all, if not all, of the four letter words containing these tiles.
Most people find it easier to learn the four letter words containing these tiles in separate groups (four letter words containing 'J', four letter words containing 'Q', etc.), so that's how I've organised things here.
Four Letter Words Containing 'J'
Here are all 142 four letter words containing 'J' that are allowed in Scrabble...
AJARpartly open [adj]
AJEEoff the straight [adv]
BAJUa short Malayan jacket [n -S]
BENJnarcotic hemp [n -ES]
DJINa supernatural being in Muslim mythology, also DJINN, DJINNI,
DJINNY, GENIE, JANN, JIN, JINN, JINNEE, JINNI [n -S]
DOJOa school that teaches judo or karate [n -S]
FUJIa silk fabric [n -S]
GAJOa non-gypsy [n -S]
GJUSGJU, an old Shetland viol, also GUE, GU [n]
HADJa pilgrimage to Mecca, also HAJ, HAJJ [n -ES]
HAJIa person who has made a hadj, also HADJI, HADJEE, HAJJI [n -S]
HAJJa pilgrimage to Mecca, also HADJ, HAJ [n -ES]
JAAPan ignorant fool (South African) [n -S]
JABSJAB, to poke sharply [v]
JACKto raise with a type of lever [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JADEto weary [v JADED, JADING, JADES]
JAFAa person from Auckland (offensive) [n -S]
JAGAa watchman (Indonesia) [n -S]
to guard [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JAGGto cut unevenly, also JAG [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JAGSJAG, to cut unevenly, also JAGG [v]
JAILto imprison [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JAKEa yokel (a country bumpkin) [n -S]
JAKSJAK, a type of fruit [n]
JAMBto force together tightly [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JAMSJAM, to force together tightly [v]
JANEa woman [n -S]
JANNa supernatural being in Muslim mythology, also DJIN, DJINN, DJINNI,
DJINNY, GENIE, JIN, JINN, JINNEE, JINNI [n -S]
JAPEto mock [v JAPED, JAPING, JAPES]
JAPSJAP, to spatter [v]
JARKa pass [n -S]
JARLa Scandinavian nobleman [n -S]
JARPto take part in an Easter competition [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JARSJAR, to vibrate from an impact [v]
JASPa precious stone [n -S]
JASSjazz, a musical form with syncopated rhythms [n -ES]
JASYa wig, also JASEY, JAZY [n JASIES]
JATOjet assisted take off [n -S]
JAUKto dawdle [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JAUPto splash [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JAVAcoffee [n -S]
JAWSJAW, to jabber [v]
JAXYthe posterior, also JAXIE, JACKSIE, JACKSY [n JAXIES]
JAYSJAY, a corvine bird, also JAYBIRD [n]
JAZYa wig, also JASEY, JASY [n JAZIES]
JAZZto liven up the beat of [v -ED, -ING, -ES]
JEANa durable cotton fabric [n -S]
JEATa spout [n -S]
JEDIa follower of Jedi philosophy (Star Wars film) [n -S]
JEEDJEE, to turn to the right [v]
JEELto congeal [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JEEPto travel by a four wheeled drive vehicle [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JEERto mock [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JEESJEE, to turn to the right [v]
JEEZa mild oath, also GEEZ [interj]
JEFEa chief [n -S]
JEFFto ruthlessly downsize, also KENNETT [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JEHUa fast driver [n -S]
JELLto congeal [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JEONa monetary unit of South Korea [n JEON]
JERKto move spasmodically [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JESSto fasten straps to a hawk's legs, also JESSE [v -ED, -ING, -ES]
JESTto joke [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JETEa ballet leap [n -S]
JETSJET, to spurt forth in a stream [v]
JEUXJEU, a game [n]
JEWSJEW, to barter successfully [v]
JIAOa monetary unit of China, also CHIAO [n -S]
JIBBto shift from side to side while sailing [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JIBEto jeer [v JIBED, JIBING, JIBES]
JIBSJIB, to draw back, to renegue [v]
JIFFa short time, also JIFFY [n -S]
JIGSJIG, to bob (to move quickly up and down) [v]
JILLa liquid measure [n -S]
JILTto discard a lover [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JIMPnatty (neatly dressed) [adj JIMPER, JIMPEST]
JINKto dodge nimbly [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JINNa supernatural being in Muslim mythology, also DJIN, DJINN, DJINNI,DJINNY, GENIE, JANN, JIN, JINNEE, JINNI [n -S]
JINSJIN, a supernatural being in Muslim mythology [n]
JINXto bring bad luck to [v -ED, -ING, -ES]
JIRDan African gerbil [n -S]
JISMenergy, also GISM [n -S]
JIVEto dance to jazz or swing music [v JIVED, JIVING, JIVES]
JIVYlively [adj JIVIER, JIVIEST]
JIZZcharacteristic features [n -ES]
JOBEto reprimand tediously [v JOBED, JOBING, JOBES]
JOBSJOB, to do piece work [v]
JOCKan athletic support [n -S]
JOCOcheerful [adj]
JOESJOE, a fellow [n]
JOEYa young kangaroo [n -S]
JOGSJOG, to run at a slow, steady pace [v]
JOHNa toilet [n -S]
JOINto unite [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JOKEto say something amusing [v JOKED, JOKING, JOKES]
JOKYamusing, also JOKEY [adj JOKIER, JOKIEST,]
JOLEto bump, also JOLL, JOWL, JOULE [v JOLED, JOLING, JOLES]
JOLLto bump, also JOLE, JOWL, JOULE [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JOLSJOL, to have a good time (S African) [v JOLLED, JOLLING, JOLS]
JOLTto jar [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JOMOa cross between a yak and cow, also ZHO, DSO, DZHO, DZO [n -S]
JONGfriend (Afrikaans) [n -S]
JOOKto duck [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JORSJOR, a part of a raga (Indian music) [n]
JOSHto tease [v -ED, -ING, -ES]
JOSSa Chinese idol [n -ES]
JOTAa Spanish dance [n -S]
JOTSJOT, to note quickly [v]
JOUKto dodge [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JOURa day [n -S]
JOWLto bump, also JOLE, JOLL, JOULE [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JOWSJOW, to ring a bell [v]
JOYSJOY, to rejoice [v]
JUBAa lively dance [n -S]
JUBEa platform in a church [n -S]
JUCOjunior college [n -S]
JUDOa form of jujitsu [n -S]
JUDSJUD, a mass of coal holed ready for removal [n]
JUDYa girl (a female child (a young person)) [n JUDIES]
JUGAJUGUM, a pair of opposite leaves [n]
JUGSJUG, to stew in a closed container [v]
JUJUa fetish or charm [n -S]
JUKEto dance [v JUKED, JUKING, JUKES]
JUKUJapanese martial art [n -S]
JUMPto leap into the air [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JUNKto discard as trash [v -ED, -ING, -S]
JUPEa woman's jacket [n -S]
JURAJUS, a legal right [n]
JUREby law [adv]
JURYto select material for exhibition [v JURIED, JURYING, JURIES]
JUSTengage in personal combat [v -ED, -ING, -S]
fair,impartial, also JOUST [adj JUSTER, JUSTEST,]
JUTEa strong, coarse fibre [n -S]
JUTSJUT, to protrude [v]
JUVEa juvenile lead [n -S]
JYNXthe wryneck, a bird related to the woodpecker [n -ES]
KOJIa Japanese fungus which breaks down soy beans [n -S]
MOJOa magic charm [n MOJOS or MOJOES]
PUJAa Hindu worship practice, also POOJA, POOJAH, PUJAH [n -S]
RAJAa king or prince in India, also RAJAH [n -S]
ROJIa Japanese garden design [n -S]
SIJOa Korean verse [n -S]
SJOEwow (S Africa) [interj]
SOJAthe soybean [n -S]
Four Letter Words Containing 'Q'
The 'Q' is a tile that sometimes gets you out of trouble with a quick and easy 60 points, and other times enables your opponent to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat by sticking you with it in the endgame. In either case, the only way to manage your 'Q' consistently is to learn every single one of the four letter words containing the 'Q' immediately. The good news is, there are relatively few of them. 22 to be exact.
Here are all 22 four letter words containing the dreaded 'Q'...
AQUAwater [n AQUAS or AQUAE]
QADIa Muslim judge, also CADI [n -S]
QAIDa Muslim leader, also CAID [n -S]
QATSQAT, an evergreen shrub, also KAT, KHAT [n]
QOPHa Hebrew letter, also KOPH [n -S]
QUADto space by means of quadrats [v QUADDED, QUADDING, QUADS]
QUAGa quagmire [n -S]
QUAIa wharf, also QUAY [n -S]
QUATa pimple [n -S]
QUAYa wharf, also QUAI [n -S]
QUEPexpressing derision [interj]
QUEYa young cow [n -S]
QUIDa pound sterling [n -S]
QUIMfemale genitalia [n -S]
QUINa quintuplet [n -S]
QUIPto make witty remarks [v QUIPPED, QUIPPING, QUIPS]
QUITto depart from or stop, also QUITE [v QUITTED, QUITTING, QUITS]
QUIZto interrogate [v QUIZZED, QUIZZING, QUIZZES]
QUODto imprison [v QUODDED, QUODDING, QUODS]
QUOPto throb [v QUOPPED, QUOPPING, QUOPS]
SUQSSUQ, a marketplace in the Middle East [n]
WAQFa donation for pious purposes, also WAKF [n -S]
Four Letter Words Containing 'X'
The 'X' is the most reliable high-scoring letter. But it is only reliable, if you've learnt what to do with it.
Here are 84 four letter words that will help you consistently score huge points when your rack contains an 'X'...
APEXthe topmost point [n APEXES or APICES]
AXALpertaining to an axis, also AXIAL [adj]
AXEDAX, to chop with a cutting tool [v]
AXELa figure skating jump [n -S]
AXESAX, to chop with a cutting tool [v]
AXILthe upper angle between leaf and stem [n -S]
AXISa line about which a body rotates [n AXES]
an Asian deer [n AXISES]
AXLEa shaft upon which a wheel revolves [n -S]
AXONan extension of a nerve cell [n -S]
BOXYlike a box [adj BOXIER, BOXIEST]
BRUXto grind teeth together [v -ED, -ING, -ES]
CALXa mineral residue [n CALXES or CALCES]
COAXto cajole (to persuade by flattery) [v -ED, -ING, -ES]
COXAthe hip bone [n COXAE]
COXYself-important, also COCKSY [adj COXIER, COXIEST]
CRUXa basic or decisive point [n CRUXES or CRUCES]
DEXYa tablet of dex, also DEXIE [n DEXIES]
DIXII have spoken [interj]
DIXYa camp-kettle, also DIXIE [n DIXIES]
DOUXvery sweet (used of champagne) [adj]
DOXYa doctrine, also DOXIE [n DOXIES]
EAUXEAU, a river or water [n]
EXAMan examination [n -S]
EXECan executive officer [n -S]
EXEDEX, to cross out [v EXED, EXES, EXING]
EXESEX, the letter X [n]
EXITto go out [v -ED, -ING, -S]
EXONa sequence which codes for protein synthesis [n -S]
EXPOa public exhibition [n -S]
EXULan exile [n -S]
FAIXfaith [interj]
FALXa sickle-shaped structure [n FALCES]
FAUXnot genuine; fake [adj]
FIXTFIX, to repair [v]
FLAXthe fibres of the plant linum [n -ES]
FLEXto bend [v -ED, -ING, -ES]
FLIXto have fur [v -ED, -ING, -ES]
FLUXto melt, also FLIX [v -ED, -ING, -ES]
FOXYcrafty [adj FOXIER, FOXIEST]
GREXa group of plants with a common hybrid ancestor [n -ES]
HOAXto trick [v -ED, -ING, -ES]
IBEXa wild goat [n IBEXES or IBICES]
ILEXa shrub of the holly family [n ILEXES or ILICES]
IXIAa flowering plant [n -S]
JAXYthe posterior, also JAXIE, JACKSIE, JACKSY [n JAXIES]
JEUXJEU, a game [n]
JINXto bring bad luck to [v -ED, -ING, -ES]
JYNXthe wryneck, a bird related to the woodpecker [n -ES]
LANXa platter [n LANCES]
LUXEluxury [n -S]
LYNXa short-tailed wildcat [n -ES]
MAXIa long skirt or coat [n -S]
MINXa pert girl [n -ES]
MIXTMIX, to combine together [v]
MIXYmixed [adj MIXIER, MIXIEST]
MOXAa Chinese plant [n -S]
MYXOmyxomatosis, a disease introduced to control rabbits [n -S]
NEXTthe person or thing that comes immediately after [n -S]
NIXENIX, a water sprite [n]
NIXYan undeliverable piece of mail [n NIXIES]
ONYXa variety of quartz [n -ES]
ORYXan African antelope [n -ES]
OXENOX, a hoofed mammal [n]
OXERan ox-fence [n -S]
OXESOX, a clumsy person [n]
OXIDoxide (a compound of oxygen) [n -S]
OXIMa chemical compound, also OXIME [n -S]
PIXYa mischievous fairy of elf [n PIXIES]
PLEXshort form of multiplex [n -ES]
POXYdirty [adj POXIER, POXIEST]
PREXa president, also PREXY [n -ES]
ROUXa mixture of butter and flour [n ROUX]
SAXEas in saxe blue [adj]
SEXTone of the seven daily periods for prayers [n -S]
SEXYarousing sexual desire [adj SEXIER, SEXIEST]
TAXATAXON, a unit of scientific classification [n]
TAXIto travel in a taxicab [v TAXIED, TAXIING, TAXIS or TAXIES]
TEXTto send a text message by mobile phone [v -ED, -ING, -S]
ULEXa plant of the gorse genus [n -ES]
VEXTVEX, to annoy [v]
WAXYresembling wax [adj WAXIER, WAXIEST]
WEXEto wax [v WEXED, WEXING, WEXES]
XYSTa training area in ancient Greece, also XYSTUS, XYSTOS [n -S]
YUNXa genus of small birds [n -ES]
Four Letter Words Containing 'Z'
The 'Z' is the second most consistently high-scoring tile in Scrabble (second only to the 'X').
There are 140 four letter words containing the 'Z', and just like the other heavy tiles, you should do your utmost to learn all of them.
Here they are...
ADZEto dress timber with an adze, also ADZ [v ADZED, ADZING, ADZES] AZANthe Muslim call to prayer, also ADHAN [n -S] AZONa radio-controlled aerial bomb [n -S] AZYMunleavened bread, also AZYME [n -S] BIZEa cold wind in Switzerland, also BISE [n -S] BOZOa dim-witted fellow [n -S] BUZZto make a vibrating sound [v -ED, -ING, -ES] CHEZat the home of [prep] CHIZto cheat [v CHIZZED, CHIZZING] COZEto chat [v COZED, COZING, COZES] COZYto attempt to get on friendly terms, also COSY
[v COZIED, COZYING, COZIES]snug and comfortable, also COSY, COZIER, COZIEST [adj] CZARan emperor or king, also TSAR, TZAR, KSAR [n -S] DAZEto stun [v DAZED, DAZING, DAZES] DITZa silly person [n -ES] DOZEto sleep lightly [v DOZED, DOZING, DOZES] DOZYdrowsy [adj DOZIER, DOZIEST] DZHOa cross between a yak and cow, also ZHO, DSO, DZO, JOMO [n -S] DZOSDZO, a cross between a yak and cow [n] FAZEto unsettle, also FEASE, FEAZE, FEESE, FEEZE, PHEESE, PHEEZE
PHESE [v FAZED, FAZING, FAZES] FIZZto make a hissing or sputtering sound [v -ED, -ING, -ES] FOZYlacking in freshness [adj FOZIER, FOZIEST] FRIZto curl hair tightly, also FRIZZ, FRIZZLE [v -ED, -ING, -ES] FUTZto spend time aimlessly [v -ED, -ING, -ES] FUZEto equip with a detonating device, also FUSE [v FUZED, FUZING, FUZES] FUZZto become fuzzy [v -ED, -ING, -ES] GAZEto look intently [v GAZED, GAZING, GAZES] GAZYgiven to gazing [adj GAZIER, GAZIEST] GEEZa mild oath, also JEEZ [interj] GIZZa wig [n -ES] HAZEto make a shimmering vapour [v HAZED, HAZING, HAZES] HAZYunclear (not clear) [adj HAZIER, HAZIEST] HIZZto hiss (to make a sibilant sound) [v -ED, -ING, -ES] IZARan outer garment worn by Muslim women [n -S] JAZYa wig, also JASEY, JASY [n JAZIES] JAZZto liven up the beat of [v -ED, -ING, -ES]
JEEZa mild oath, also GEEZ [interj] JIZZcharacteristic features [n -ES] KAZIa lavatory, also KHAZI, CARSEY, KARZY, KARSY, KARSEY [n -S] KUZUa thickening agent used in a macrobiotic diet [n -S] LAZEto pass time idly [v LAZED, LAZING, LAZES] LAZOto catch with a long rope with a running noose, also LASSO, LARIAT [v LAZOED, LAZOING, LAZOES or LAZOS] LAZYto move or lie sluggishly [v LAZIED, LAZYING, LAZIES]
disinclined toward work or exertion [adj LAZIER, LAZIEST] LEZZa lesbian, also LEZ, LEZZA, LEZZIE, LEZZY [n -ES] LUTZa jump in figure skating [n -ES] MAZEto bewilder [v MAZED, MAZING, MAZES] MAZYfull of confusing turns and passages [adj MAZIER, MAZIEST] MEZEa Greek or Middle Eastern appetizer, also MEZZE [n -S] MEZZa mezzanine floor [n -ES] MIZZmisery [n -ES] MOZEto raise a nap on [v MOZED, MOZING, MOZES] MOZOa manual labourer [n -S] MOZZa curse [n -ES] MUZZto make muzzy (confused) [v -ED, -ING, -ES] MZEEan old person in East Africa [n -S] NAZEa headland [n -S] NAZIa type of fascist [n -S] OOZEto leak slowly [v OOZED, OOZING, OOZES] OOZYslimy [adj OOZIER, OOZIEST] ORZOrice-shaped pasta [n -S] OUZOa Greek liqueur [n -S] OYEZa proclamation, also OYES [n -ES] PHIZthe face [n PHIZES or PHIZZES] PIZEto strike somebody [v -ED, -ING, -S] POZZpositive, also POZ [adj] PREZa president [n -ES] PUTZto waste time [v -ED, -ING, -ES] QUIZto interrogate [v QUIZZED, QUIZZING, QUIZZES] RAZEto demolish, also RASE [v RAZED, RAZING, RAZES] RAZZto deride [v -ED, -ING, -ES] RITZpretentious display [n -ES] RIZAan ornamental plate [n -S] SITZa type of hip bath [n pl.] SIZEto cover with a weak gluey material [v SIZED, SIZING, SIZES] SIZYthick and adhesive [adj SIZIER, SIZIEST] SPAZa clumsy, foolish, or incompetent person [n pl.] SWIZto defraud, also SWIZZ [v SWIZZED, SWIZZING] TIZZa state of agitation [n -ES] TOZEto tease out [v TOZED, TOZING, TOZES] TREZthreepence, also TREYBIT [n -ES] TUZZa tuft [n -ES] TZARan emperor or king, also TSAR, CZAR, KSAR [n -S] VIZYto look at closely, also VIZZIE [v VIZIED, VIZYING, VIZIES] WHIZto move rapidly with a hissing sound, also WHIZZ [v WHIZZED, WHIZZING] YUTZfool (Yiddish) [n -ES] YUZUa type of Japanese citrus fruit [n -S] ZACKa sixpence (a British coin) [n -S] ZAGSZAG, to change course sharply [v] ZANYto play the zany to [v ZANIED, ZANYING, ZANIES] crazy or clownish [adj ZANIER, ZANIEST] ZAPSZAP, to kill or destroy instantaneously [v] ZARFa holder for a cup [n -S] ZATIthe bonnet-monkey [n -S] ZEALenthusiasm [n -S] ZEASZEA, the stigma of a cereal plant [n] ZEBUan Asian ox [n -S] ZEDSZED, the letter Z [n] ZEESZEE, the letter Z [n] ZEINa maize protein [n -S] ZEKSZEK, a prisoner in a labour camp in USSR [n] ZELSZEL, an Oriental cymbal [n] ZEPSZEP, a long zeppelin shaped sandwich [n] ZERKa grease fitting [n -S] ZEROto aim at the centre of a target [v ZEROED, ZEROING, ZEROES or ZEROS] ZESTto be enthusiastic [v -ED, -ING, -S] ZETAa Greek letter [n -S] ZEZEa musical instrument [n -S] ZHOSZHO, a cross between a yak and cow [n] ZIFFa beard [n -S] ZIGSZIG, to change course sharply [v] ZILAan administrative district in British India, also ZILLA, ZILLAH [n -S] ZILLa finger cymbal [n -S] ZIMBan Ethiopian insect [n -S] ZINCto coat with a metallic element [v ZINCKED or ZINCED, ZINCKING or ZINCING, ZINCS] ZINEa magazine for specialist interests [n -S] ZINGto move with zest [v -ED, -ING, -S] ZINSZIN, a dry, red table wine [n] ZIPSZIP, to fasten with a metal fastener with teeth [v] ZITEa type of pasta like macaroni, also ZITI [n] ZITIa type of pasta like macaroni, also ZITE [n -S] ZITSZIT, a pimple [n] ZIZZto nap [v -ED, -ING, -ES] ZOBOa male cross of a yak and a cow, also ZOBU [n -S] ZOBUa male cross of a yak and a cow, also ZOBO [n -S] ZOEAthe larval stage of crabs, also ZOOEA [n ZOEAS or ZOEAE] ZOICpertaining to animals [adj] ZOLSZOL, a spliff, a marijuana cigarette [n] ZONAa belt [n ZONAE] ZONEto arrange in areas [v ZONED, ZONING, ZONES] ZONKto stupefy [v -ED, -ING, -S] ZOOMto move with a buzzing sound [v -ED, -ING, -S] ZOONthe whole product of one fertilized egg [n ZOONS or ZOA] to zoom [v -ED, -ING, -S] ZOOSZOO, a home for animals in captivity [n] ZOOTas in zoot suit [adj] ZORIa type of sandal [n -S] ZOUKdance music [n -S] ZULUa fishing vessel [n -S] ZUPAa confederation of village communities [n -S] ZURFa coffee-cup holder [n -S] ZYGAZYGON, a H shaped fissure of the brain [n] ZYMEa ferment [n -S] ZZZSsleep [n ZZZS]
There are many more useful groups of four letter words to study once you've mastered the ones on this page. I particularly recommend you study the four letter words that look like they would take an 'S' but don't, and the four letter words that look like they don't take an 'S' but do.
But I've done enough of your work for you for the time being. I'll leave these for you to put together ;-)
A Couple of Handy Resources
If you don't think you have a good enough memory to pull off feats like this, let me assure you that you do not need photographic memory. If you don't believe me, take it from
USA memory champion, Ron White
: "Anyone can do this!"
And finally, it's a good idea to have a list of all the small Scrabble words sorted alphabetically for easy searching. So make sure you grab a copy of...
Word Buff's FREE Downloadable
Mini Scrabble Dictionary
As part of my effort to compile a free library of Scrabble cheats, I've put together a 39 page mini online Scrabble dictionary containing all the short Scrabble words. As I explain in the book's introduction, the short words are by far the most important ones to learn first.
Here's a snippet...
I've carefully highlighted which words are from which dictionaries to help you avoid learning phonies. I've put a downloadable copy in the Members Area. If you'd like to get your hands on it right now...
Just tell me where to send it!
Return to Word Lists from Four Letter Words
Return to Word Games Home from Four Letter Words
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