Single Word Palindromes

On this page I've collected a comprehensive list of single word palindromes.

In the spirit of 'single word' I've decided to exclude from this list any palindromic phrases, proper nouns, or hyphenated forms, even though you will encounter these sorts of palindromes in crosswords and other puzzles from time to time.

Unfortunately, this policy means that my page must omit some palindromic gems, like...

• AMANAPLANACANALPANAMA — probably the most oft' quoted palindrome of all time, but a phrase nonetheless,
• MALAYALAM — the Dravidian language of Kerala, and hence a proper noun, and
• RACECAR — a neat word, but strictly a hyphenated form.

...which was, of course, just an excuse to mention them after all ;-)

On the other hand, a pleasant result of these strict criteria is that every word in the list is allowed in Scrabble! Well, if your adjudicator is the Official International Scrabble Dictionary at least.

Finally, since palindromes of four letters or less are a dime a dozen, I've only included words that are at least five letters long.

And all this banter leaves us with the following single word palindromes...

ALULA

A part of a bird's wing.

ANANA

The pineapple.

CIVIC

Pertaining to cities.

DEKED

From DEKE, to feint in hockey

DELED

From DELE, to delete.

DERED

From DERE, to injure.

DEWED

From DEW, to moisten.

KAIAK

A light canoe.

KAYAK

A light canoe.

LEMEL

Metal filings.

LEVEL

To even out.

MADAM

A term of address for a woman.

MALAM

A Muslim scholar.

MINIM

A musical note.

RADAR

A locating device.

REFER

To attribute to.

ROTOR

A rotating machine part.

SAGAS

From SAGA, a series of novels.

SAMAS

From SAMA, a Japanese title.

SEDES

A seat (Latin).

SELES

From SELE, good fortune.

SEMES

From SEME, an ornamental pattern.

SERES

From SERE, to burn the surface of.

SEXES

From SEX, gender.

SHAHS

From SHAH, an Iranian ruler.

SIMIS

From SIMI, a type of sword.

SIRIS

From SIRI, a climbing plant.

SOLOS

From SOLO, to perform alone.

STATS

From STAT, a statistic.

STETS

From STET, to cancel a printing correction.

STOTS

From STOT, to bounce.

SULUS

From SULU, a Melanesian skirt.

SUSUS

From SUSU, a group savings scheme.

TENET

A principle.

TOROT

The body of Jewish law.

SUBSCRIBE TO WORD BUFF

ARAARA

A type of fish.

ATAATA

A marine gastropod.

DEGGED

From DEG, to water plants.

DENNED

From DEN, to retire to a lair.

HAJJAH

A Muslim woman who has made a pilgrimage to Mecca.

HALLAH

A type of bread.

MALLAM

An African teacher.

MARRAM

A type of grass.

PULLUP

A body-lifting movement.

REDDER

More red.

SELLES

From SELLE, a saddle.

SERRES

From SERRE, to press close.

SESSES

From SESS, a tax.

SUCCUS

Animal or plant secretion.

TALLAT

A loft.

TERRET

A swivel-ring.

TIRRIT

Fright (Shakesp.)

DEIFIED

From DEIFY, to revere as a god.

HADEDAH

A type of bird.

HALALAH

A Saudi Arabian monetary unit.

REIFIER

From REIFY, to materialize.

REPAPER

To paper again.

REVIVER

One who revives.

ROTATOR

Something that rotates.

SEITIES

From SEITY, personal identity.

SEMEMES

From SEMEME, a unit of meaning.

ROTAVATOR

A soil-tilling machine.

And if you've got a soft spot for palindromes, you'll probably get a giggle out of this brilliant sketch...

Finally, if strange little words like these get your motor running, you'll get a real buzz out of my free book of short words. And you'll start to kick serious butt on the Scrabble board too!

Download it right now by entering your details below...