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Type Your Starting Letters
Enter any letter or combination in the search box. Type A for all A words, or CH for words starting with CH.
Free Letter Word Finder
Words Starting With Any Letter
Find words that start with any letter or combination. Browse our comprehensive A-Z word lists for Scrabble, Words With Friends, and vocabulary building.
Enter a starting letter, prefix, or click any letter below—instant results!
How to Find Words That Begin With Any Letter Instantly
Three simple methods to discover words starting with specific letters
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Click the A-Z Grid
Use our alphabet grid for quick browsing. Click any letter to instantly see all words beginning with that letter.
3
Browse Your Results
View matching words with Scrabble point values. Click any word to verify its definition and game validity.
Browse Words by Starting Letter from A to Z
Explore our complete word lists organized by first letter
A
66,000+ words
B
58,000+ words
C
85,000+ words
D
53,000+ words
E
37,000+ words
F
33,000+ words
G
34,000+ words
H
44,000+ words
I
30,000+ words
J
8,800+ words
K
20,000+ words
L
30,000+ words
M
70,000+ words
N
37,000+ words
O
30,000+ words
P
88,000+ words
Q
5,800+ words
R
45,000+ words
S
100,000+ words
T
52,000+ words
U
34,000+ words
V
15,000+ words
W
21,000+ words
X
2,700+ words
Y
5,100+ words
Z
5,900+ words
Mastering Difficult Starting Letters: X, Z, Q and J Words
High-value letters that can transform your word game strategy
X
Words Starting With X
8 points in Scrabble
The xylo- prefix comes from Greek xylon meaning "wood." Words like xylophone, xylograph, and xylophage derive from this root.
- XI
- 9 pts
- XU
- 9 pts
- XENON
- 12 pts
Z
Words Starting With Z
10 points in Scrabble
The prefix zoo- derives from Greek zoon meaning "animal." This gives us zoology, zookeeper, and zooplankton.
- ZA
- 11 pts
- ZO
- 11 pts
- ZEPHYR
- 23 pts
Q
Words Starting With Q
10 points in Scrabble
Most Q words need U, but QI (Chinese life force) doesn't! Other Q-without-U words include QOPH, QADI, and QAID.
- QI
- 11 pts
- QUIZ
- 22 pts
- QUEEN
- 14 pts
J
Words Starting With J
8 points in Scrabble
J words are valuable and versatile. Short options like JO, JAB, and JET can be placed strategically on bonus squares for maximum points.
- JO
- 9 pts
- JAM
- 12 pts
- JAZZY
- 33 pts
Understanding English Word Prefixes and Their Meanings
Master these common prefixes to expand your vocabulary and word game skills
A prefix is a morpheme—a meaningful unit of language—attached to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning. Understanding common English prefixes helps you recognize unfamiliar words, build vocabulary faster, and score higher in word games by transforming simple words into longer, higher-scoring plays.
UN- Not / Opposite
Creates opposites or negatives from base words.
- UNhappy = not happy
- UNable = not able
- UNlock = reverse locking
RE- Again / Back
Indicates repetition or returning to a state.
- REwrite = write again
- REturn = come back
- REplay = play again
PRE- Before
Indicates something happening before or in advance.
- PREview = view before
- PREheat = heat beforehand
- PREfix = fixed before
DIS- Not / Apart
Expresses negation, removal, or separation.
- DISagree = not agree
- DISconnect = separate
- DISappear = cease to appear
"Adding a prefix like UN- or RE- can transform an 8-letter word into a 10-letter bingo—earning 50 bonus points in Scrabble!"
— Word Game Strategy Tip
Common Letter Combinations That Start Words
Recognizing these patterns helps you find words faster
CH
CHAIR, CHEAP, CHILD, CHURCH, CHOOSE
TH
THANK, THINK, THOSE, THREE, THROUGH
SH
SHARE, SHELL, SHINE, SHORT, SHOWER
WH
WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHICH, WHITE
KN
KNEE, KNIFE, KNIGHT, KNIT, KNOW
WR
WRAP, WRECK, WRITE, WRONG, WRIST
Word Game Strategies: Hooks, Bingos and High-Scoring Plays
Use starting letters strategically to dominate Scrabble and Words With Friends
🪝 Front Hooks: Add Letters to the Beginning
A front hook adds a letter to the start of an existing word to create a new word. This lets you score points for both words in a single turn!
Example: Your opponent plays CARE (6 pts). You add S to make SCARE (7 pts), then build SIZE using that same S for +13 pts. One turn = 20+ points!
🎯 Bingos: Use All Seven Tiles
Playing all 7 tiles in one turn—a bingo—earns a 50-point bonus. Knowing common word beginnings helps you spot bingo opportunities faster.
Common bingo starters: RE-, UN-, OUT-, OVER-, PRE-
⭐ Premium Square Strategy
Place high-value starting letters (X, Z, Q, J) on double/triple letter squares. A single Z on a triple letter score = 30 points!
High-value starters: ZA (11 pts), XI (9 pts), QI (11 pts), JO (9 pts)
How Many Words Start With Each Letter?
A statistical breakdown of English words by starting letter
| Letter | Word Count | Scrabble Points | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 100,000+ | 1 pt | Most Common |
| P | 88,000+ | 3 pts | Very Common |
| C | 85,000+ | 3 pts | Very Common |
| M | 70,000+ | 3 pts | Common |
| A | 66,000+ | 1 pt | Common |
| Q | 5,800+ | 10 pts | Rare |
| X | 2,700+ | 8 pts | Rarest |
| Z | 5,900+ | 10 pts | Rare |
Creative Uses: Alliteration, Poetry and Tongue Twisters
Beyond word games—using starting letters for creative writing
📝 Alliteration in Writing
Alliteration (also called head rhyme) repeats consonant sounds at the beginning of words in a phrase. Our tool helps find words with the same starting sound for impactful prose and poetry.
"She sells seashells by the seashore."
👅 Tongue Twisters
Tongue twisters use similar starting sounds in sequences that are difficult to pronounce quickly. They're excellent for speech therapy, acting practice, and language learning.
"Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."
Learn More About English Words and Prefixes
Explore these trusted resources for vocabulary building and language learning
Frequently Asked Questions About Finding Words by Starting Letter
Everything you need to know about our words starting with tool
How do I find words starting with specific letters?
Enter the starting letter or letters in the search box (e.g., CH or PRE). Click "Find Words" to see all matching words from our 170,000+ word dictionary. You can also click any letter in our A-Z grid for instant results.
What are the best Scrabble words starting with X or Z?
High-scoring X words: XI (9 pts), XU (9 pts), OXES. Top Z words: ZA (11 pts), ZO (11 pts), QUIZ. Place these on bonus squares for maximum points!
How many English words start with each letter?
S has the most words (100,000+), followed by C, P, and M. X has the fewest (2,700+), followed by Z and Q. Our tool searches all available words regardless of starting letter frequency.
What is a word prefix?
A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. Common English prefixes include UN- (not), RE- (again), PRE- (before), and DIS- (opposite).
Can I search for words starting with multiple letters?
Yes! Enter any letter combination like CH, TH, PRE, or ANTI to find all words beginning with that sequence.
What are hook words in Scrabble?
Hook words are formed by adding a letter to the beginning or end of an existing word. Adding S to CARE makes SCARE. Our tool helps find starting letters that hook onto played words.
How can I use this tool for creative writing?
Writers use our tool for alliteration (words starting with the same sound), creating tongue twisters, finding words with similar beginnings for poetry, and expanding vocabulary for prose.
What dictionaries does this tool use?
Our tool searches a comprehensive English dictionary with over 170,000 words, including words valid in Scrabble (TWL/SOWPODS) and WWF. Results show Scrabble point values.
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