These are the best Scrabble words to help you score major points!
35 Best Scrabble Words to Help You Win the Game
Are you a fan of puzzles, word games and brain-teasing challenges? If so, Scrabble might just be your obsession! Whether you’re a seasoned player or need a quick refresher, Scrabble is all about scoring points by crafting words with letter tiles on a grid. While Scrabble rules are straightforward, mastering the game can be tricky, especially if you’re not a word connoisseur. But fear not! We’ve got you covered with some of the best Scrabble words to boost your chances of victory.
And with National Scrabble Day just around the corner on April 13, now’s the perfect time to brush up on winning Scrabble words. So, check out our list of 35 powerhouse words guaranteed to help you win Scrabble each and every time!
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more holiday tips, fun facts, humor, cleaning, travel and tech all week long.
Qwerty: The computer keyword layout for the alphabet
One of the best Scrabble words for those tricky Q tiles is “qwerty”! Not only does it let you play a Q without a U and score you a hefty 21 points, but it’s also a term familiar to all keyboard letter enthusiasts, representing the traditional arrangement of keys Q, W, E, R, T and Y.
Defuzing: To make less dangerous or embarrassing
Ever heard of “defuze?” This Scrabble word may raise some eyebrows, but it’s a legitimate alternate spelling of “defuse”—and it racks up a jaw-dropping 322 points!
Faqir: A Muslim or Hindu mendicant monk
Here’s another way to play a “Q” without a “U” and it nets you 17 points. “Faqir”—is a variant spelling of “fakir,” denoting a humble monk in Islamic and Hindu traditions. Perfect for tipping the scales in your favor!
Nymph: Minor divinities of nature in mythology
You may have seen this word in one of your favorite word search puzzles. For a respectable 15 points, consider “nymph”—not only does it conjure images of ethereal nature spirits from mythology, but it’s also used to describe young women and certain insects in everyday language.
Flybys: Low-altitude flights by airplanes over public gatherings
And who could forget “flybys”? Worth a solid 17 points, it’s a term familiar to anyone who’s watched a major sporting event, describing a swift flight passing by a specific target. It’s a must-have in your Scrabble arsenal to get a one-up on other players.
Oxyphenbutazone: A type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
This is theoretically the highest-scoring of all the Scrabble words—hooked to the right words, it would earn a whopping 1,778 points, found Dan Stock of Ohio. But it would require perfect placement of eight other tiles, so it’s never actually been played in a real game.
Muzjiks: A Russian peasant
With this alternate spelling of muzhiks, Jesse Inman earned the record of the highest-scoring opening Scrabble word ever played in 2008.
Qi: The energy of life flowing through the body
When you’ve been holding on to that Q for way too long, just get rid of it with this easy-peasy two-letter word that doesn’t even require a U. Add an S at your next turn to take advantage of that 10-point Q all over again to win Scrabble.
Qat: A shrub that grows in the Middle East and Africa
Q with no U? You’re in luck—“qat” makes it easy to get rid of that tricky letter. It’s also one of those words that many mispronounce, so make sure to show your friends how to pronounce it right (“kaht”).
Xi: Letter in the Greek alphabet
You know “ax,” “ex” and “ox,” but when your only vowel is an I, you’ve got options.
Xu: Coin that used to be minted in South Vietnam
Don’t get stuck with that X! Short Scrabble words that start with X are hard to come by (and may be one of the hardest words to spell in the English language, too!).
Phpht: Interjection
No vowels? No problem! Other long consonant-only options to win Scrabble include crwth, byrls, fyrds, ghyll and xylyl.
Zuz: Ancient Hebrew coin
Even super Scrabble players curse the days they get two Zs. “Pizza” and “fuzz” are obvious choices, but you can get rid of those pesky letters even quicker with this three-letter word.
Cwm: Cirque, a half-open hollow on a mountainside
When you’re stuck with all consonants, you don’t have too many options, especially if you don’t have a Y either. Enter cwm to save the day, or even tsk, brr, pht, zzz, nth, or shh. Don’t miss these other fancy words that make you sound smarter.
Beziques: A card game played with a pack of 48 cards (two of each suit for high cards)
This Scrabble word can get two tricky letters out of the way: Z and Q. What about I before E, except after C?
Caziques: Black-and-red or black-and-yellow orioles of the American tropics
No, this isn’t a made-up word. In fact, this is one of the best Scrabble words to impress your opponents. Plus, it has eight letters.
Highjack: Alternate spelling of hijack
Who knew this common English word has more than one spelling?
Mezquite: Alternate spelling of mesquite
Trick all of your opponents with the alternate spelling to win Scrabble.
Oxazepam: A tranquilizing drug used to treat anxiety, insomnia and alcohol withdrawal
People might not know what this drug is used for, but you know how to win Scrabble with it.
Maximize: To make as big or large as possible
This Scrabble word is actually used on a daily basis, so it’s a great way to score 78 points.
Quixotry: Quixotic action or thought
You probably still have no idea what this funny word means, but it may help you win Scrabble: A quixotic action is one that is unrealistic or impractical.
Jukebox: A coin-operated phonograph, equipped with push buttons for the selection of songs
Turn up the music, because this word can score you 77 points to win Scrabble.
Vizcacha: A burrowing rodent
When you use this winning Scrabble word, you’ll impress your friends while scoring a lot of points.
Chutzpah: Unbelievable gall; supreme self-confidence
It takes a lot of chutzpah to use this high-scoring Scrabble word.
Quetzals: The basic unit of money in Guatemala; large bird of Central and South America
This Scrabble word has a double meaning and can help you double your score, too!
Whizbang: A small high-velocity shell; a firecracker that makes a whizzing sound followed by an explosion
This fun Scrabble word can add 76 points to your score.
Flapjack: A flat cake of thin batter fried on both sides on a griddle
Another one of the high-scoring Scrabble words that can help you win the game is flapjack.
Wheezily: With a wheeze
This is one of the best Scrabble words because it can get you 76 points—and that’s without any double or triple points.
Equalize: To compensate; to make equal, uniform, corresponding, or matching
This Scrabble word will not equalize the score of the game.
Exorcize: Drive out or attempt to drive out (an evil spirit) from a person or place
One of the best Scrabble words for this thought-provoking word game? Exorcize! It’s another word for exorcism.
Zombify: To turn into a zombie
Let’s hope that the only place this word is used is on the Scrabble board and never in the news.
Squeeze: To grip and press firmly; the act of gripping and pressing firmly
You can squeeze 75 points out of this high-scoring Scrabble word.
Jezebel: A shameless, impudent, scheming woman
This is one of the best Scrabble words to use—especially if you’re playing against an impudent woman!
Quickly: With rapid movements; with little or no delay
Quickly is one of the less complex Scrabble words you can use to win. You can quickly win Scrabble by throwing this word down on the board.
Zymurgy: The branch of chemistry concerned with fermentation
Fermentation as in making wine, brewing or distilling.
Additional reporting by Daryl Chen
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experience where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Dictionary.com: “Win With “Qi” And This List Of Our Best Scrabble Words”
- ScrabblePlayers.org: “Records: Highest opening word score”
