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.


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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...






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