Death Combos: Worst Pairs in Scrabble & Words With Friends

You know that feeling when you look at your rack and instantly groan? Like, no matter what you try, it’s just not happening this turn. That’s probably because you’ve got a death combo—one of those awkward letter pairings that are nearly impossible to play, especially when it comes to short words.

And short words matter a lot. In Scrabble and Words With Friends, most of the action happens in 2- to 4-letter plays. They make up about 75% of the words played and half the points scored in a typical game. So when your rack’s tied up with stuff like WU, VU, YU, UU, II, VV, WW, YY, or QW, it’s not just frustrating, it’s costing you the game. That’s where a good Scrabble word finder can help you spot the rare plays that get you out of a jam.

In this article, we’ll go over the worst letter pairs you can get, why they’re so hard to use, and what you can actually do about them.

An Overview of the Death Combos

So what exactly makes a death combo so deadly? It comes down to how few words you can actually make with these tile pairings, especially the short ones that matter most during play. Most of these pairs don’t form valid 2-letter words at all, and even their 3- and 4-letter options are limited, inconsistent across dictionaries, or just plain awkward to play. Below is a quick look at the most frustrating offenders, what words (if any) you can make with them, and how best to get rid of them.

Word	2-Letter Option	Strategy Tips
QW	No valid 2-letter word	WAQF (the only word with less than 5 letters) is playable only in WWF and International Scrabble
VV	No valid 2-letter word	Very few 3- or 4-letter words (score: 9–10). Best played with A.
YY	No valid 2-letter word	One 3-letter, seven 4-letter words (not all valid across dictionaries). Try pairing with A.
WW	No valid 2-letter word	Four 3-letter, eight 4-letter words (mixed validity). A, O, and E help dump it.
WU	No valid 2-letter word	Two 3-letter and ten 4-letter words. WUZ scores well but is only allowed in WWF/NASPA. A and U are safer plays.
UU	No valid 2-letter word	Only three 3-letter words and 30+ 4-letter ones (not all valid). JUKU and YUZU score high if playable. Pair with consonants—K works well.
VU	Valid only in WWF	Up to six 3-letter and 20+ 4-letter words depending on the dictionary. Low scores overall. Try with A or consonants.
II	No valid 2-letter word	IWI is the only 3-letter word (not NASPA valid). More 4-letter words than most death pairs.
YU	Playable only in Collins	Better 3- and 4-letter options than others on this list. Still, dictionary-dependent.

Play It Safe: Ditch Death Combos Before It’s Too Late

The closer you get to the end of the game, the riskier these awkward tile pairs become. It’s one thing to deal with a clunky rack early on, but in the final moves, a death combo can leave you completely stuck. That’s why it’s so important to deal with them early. Ideally, you want to play off both tiles in a single word. We’ll help you do that with word lists tailored to both Scrabble dictionaries (NASPA and Collins) and also to the Words With Friends dictionary. If you can’t get rid of both, at least drop one of the troublemakers as soon as you can. Don’t let them haunt your endgame.

The Ultimate Endgame Trap: QW

Of all the so-called death combos, QW might be the deadliest. There’s only one short word, WAQF (using both letters), and it’s playable only in Words With Friends and International Scrabble. In American Scrabble, you're completely out of luck unless you can manage a 5-letter or longer word. Holding both Q and W near the endgame is a fast track to losing momentum and points.

VV: The Worst Pair (After QW)

VV is one of the hardest combos to work with in any word game. There are no valid 2-letter words, and only a handful of playable 3- and 4-letter words, with VIVO not playable in American Scrabble. If you’re stuck with double Vs, your best move is to offload them as quickly as possible, ideally in one of the few valid short words. Below is a breakdown of which words work in Scrabble (NWL and CSW) and Words With Friends, along with point values and word lengths.

Word	Definition	NWL Score	CSW Score	WWF Score	Length
VAV	A Hebrew letter (like saying “V is for Vav”)	9	9	11	3
VAVS	Plural of vav	10	10	12	4
VIVA	Cheer of approval or celebration (like “Viva Las Vegas!”)	10	10	12	4
VIVE	French for “long live!” (used in phrases like Vive la France)	10	10	12	4
VIVO	Musical term meaning “lively” or “with life” (think allegro vivo)	N/A	10	12	4

📄 Download Short VV Words for Scrabble (NWL & CSW)
📄 Download Short VV Words for Words With Friends

YY: Rare, Risky, and Often Unplayable

Double Y is another brutal combo to manage. No valid 2-letter words, and some short words that use two Ys are obscure and dictionary-specific. Only a few are playable across all versions of Scrabble and Words With Friends. Your best move is to learn the ones that do work in your game and get rid of at least one Y early, as it scores well.

Word	Definition	NWL Score	CSW Score	WWF Score	Length
YAY	An exclamation of joy or excitement.	9	9	7	3
EYRY	A bird of prey’s nest (variant of aerie).	10	10	8	4
GYNY	Of or relating to female reproductive organs (rare/technical).	N/A	11	N/A	4
TYPY	Having characteristics of a type or style (informal, rare).	12	12	11	4
YAWY	Inclined to yaw or twist off course (think shaky direction).	N/A	13	N/A	4
YAYS	Plural of yay, cheers or approvals.	10	10	8	4
YOYO	A toy on a string / someone who changes opinions constantly.	N/A	N/A	8	4
YUKY	Disgusting or gross (variant spelling of yucky).	N/A	14	N/A	4

📄 Download Short YY Words for Scrabble (NWL & CSW)
📄 Download Short YY Words for Words With Friends

WW: Expressions That Pack a Punch

The WW combo features some classic expressions of surprise, excitement, and relief. Collins word list accepts most of these words, while they are not as common in American Scrabble or Words With Friends.

Word	Definition	NWL Score	CSW Score	WWF Score	Length
AWW	Expression of sympathy or tenderness.	N/A	N/A	9	3
EWW	Expression of disgust or distaste.	N/A	N/A	9	3
WAW	An expression of wonder or surprise (variant of wow).	9	9	9	3
WOW	Expression of surprise, admiration, or astonishment.	9	9	9	3
WAWA	A sound of joy or excitement, sometimes used for repetition.	N/A	10	N/A	4
WAWE	A variant spelling of wave (used in informal contexts).	N/A	10	N/A	4
WAWL	A cry or wail (variant spelling of wail).	10	10	11	4
WAWS	Plural of waw, a Hebrew letter or ancient symbol.	10	10	10	4
WHEW	Expression of relief or exhaustion.	13	13	12	4
WHOW	An expression of surprise or amazement (variant of wow).	N/A	13	N/A	4
WOWF	Variant of wow, often used as an exclamation.	N/A	13	N/A	4
WOWS	Expression of admiration or surprise (plural form of wow).	10	10	10	4

📄 Download Short WW Words for Scrabble (NWL & CSW)
📄 Download Short WW Words for Words With Friends

WU: Limited Options, WUZ - High Scoring Potential

The WU combo is known for its rarity, with only a handful of playable words across different dictionaries. While there are no 2-letter options, there are a few 3-letter and 4-letter words that can score big points if used correctly. The highest-scoring word is WUZ, which is only playable in American Scrabble and Words With Friends. Learning how to play Scrabble effectively means knowing when and how to drop tricky combos like this to gain the upper hand.

Word	Definition	NWL Score	CSW Score	WWF Score	Length
WUD	A dialectal variant of would (informal).	7	7	8	3
WUZ	A colloquial or informal form of was.	15	N/A	16	3
SWUM	The past participle of swim.	9	9	11	4
WAUK	A Scottish word meaning to wake up or rouse.	11	11	12	4
WAUL	To wail or cry loudly (often in mourning).	7	7	9	4
WAUR	A Scottish variant of worse.	7	7	8	4
WHUP	To strike or beat, often used informally.	12	12	13	4
WUDS	Plural of wud, a variant of would.	0	8	0	4
WUDU	A variant spelling of wudu, meaning wood in some dialects.	0	8	10	4
WUFF	A sound made by a dog or a low, muffled noise.	0	0	14	4
WULL	A Scottish variant of will (used for future tense).	0	7	0	4
WUSS	A weak or cowardly person (informal, often used in a teasing context).	7	7	8	4

📄 Download Short WU Words for Scrabble (NWL & CSW)
📄 Download Short WU Words for Words With Friends

VU – The Slippery One

VU is a tricky pair: it only exists as a 2-letter word in Words With Friends, not Scrabble. Learning how to play Words With Friends well means recognizing which combos to clear early, because most VU options are low-scoring 3- and 4-letter words, and many are only accepted in specific dictionaries. They're rarely useful late in the game, so don’t let them drag you down.

Word	Definition	NWL Score	CSW Score	WWF Score	Length
VU	Accepted only in WWF; no standard definition (used as a variant sound/spelling).	N/A	N/A	7	2
GUV	British slang for “boss” or “sir.”	7	7	10	3
LUV	Informal spelling of “love.”	6	6	9	3
UVA	Latin for “grape.”	N/A	6	N/A	3
VAU	A Hebrew letter (also spelled vav).	6	6	8	3
VUG	A small cavity in rock lined with crystals.	7	7	10	3
VUM	Archaic expression of surprise or emphasis (like "I vow").	8	8	N/A	3
BRUV	British slang for “brother” or “mate.”	N/A	9	12	4
ERUV	A symbolic enclosure allowing Jewish communities to carry on the Sabbath.	7	7	9	4
GUVS	Plural of guv.	8	8	11	4
JUVE	Slang for a young person or juvenile.	N/A	14	N/A	4
LUVS	Plural of luv, informal loves.	7	7	10	4
OVUM	A female reproductive cell; an egg.	9	9	12	4
ULVA	A type of green seaweed, also called sea lettuce.	7	7	10	4
URVA	A type of Asian mongoose (rare word).	N/A	7	N/A	4
UVAE	Plural of uva, Latin for grapes.	0	7	N/A	4
UVAS	Spanish for grapes (used in English-language texts).	N/A	7	N/A	4
UVEA	The pigmented layer of the eye beneath the white (sclera).	7	7	9	4
VATU	Currency of Vanuatu.	7	7	9	4
VAUS	Plural of vau, Hebrew letters.	7	7	9	4
VAUT	Obsolete variant of “vault.”	N/A	7	N/A	4
VROU	A Dutch or South African term for woman or wife.	N/A	7	9	4
VUGG	Variant spelling of vug.	9	9	13	4
VUGH	Another variant of vug, a rock cavity.	11	11	13	4
VUGS	Plural of vug.	8	8	11	4
VULN	Short for “vulnerability” (used in tech or gaming slang).	7	7	11	4
VULT	Archaic or poetic term meaning “face” or “expression” (from Latin).	N/A	N/A	10	4
VUMS	Plural of vum, old-timey oath or expression.	N/A	9	N/A	4

📄 Download Short VU Words for Scrabble (NWL & CSW)
📄 Download Short VU Words for Words With Friends

UU – Quirky, Global, and Mostly 4-Lettered

No 2-letter options here, and just one 3-letter word playable across all three dictionaries. Most UU words are 4-letter curiosities — drawing from languages and cultures around the world. They're rarely high scorers (only when combined with Y or Z), but they’re unique and sometimes just the right fit.

Word	Definition	NWL Score	CSW Score	WWF Score	Length
ULU	A curved knife used by Inuit women.	3	3	6	3
UMU	A traditional Polynesian underground oven.	N/A	5	8	3
UTU	A Māori term for reciprocity or revenge.	N/A	3	N/A	3
BUBU	A loose-fitting robe worn in West Africa.	8	8	N/A	4
FUFU	A West African starchy food, often made from yams or cassava.	N/A	N/A	12	4
FUGU	A Japanese pufferfish, considered a delicacy but potentially deadly.	8	8	11	4
GURU	A spiritual teacher or expert in a field.	5	5	8	4
HUHU	A large, edible beetle in New Zealand.	N/A	10	N/A	4
JUJU	A West African spiritual belief system or object used in magic.	10	10	14	4
JUKU	A Japanese cram school for extra academic study.	15	15	19	4
KUDU	A type of large African antelope with twisted horns.	9	9	11	4
KUKU	Swahili word for chicken (also used in various songs and expressions).	N/A	7	9	4
KURU	A rare brain disease found among the Fore people of Papua New Guinea.	8	8	10	4
KUTU	A louse or parasite, especially in Māori or Indonesian usage.	N/A	8	N/A	4
KUZU	Japanese for kudzu, a fast-growing vine.	N/A	17	N/A	4
LUAU	A Hawaiian feast with food, music, and dancing.	4	4	7	4
LULU	Something remarkable or outstanding (slang).	4	4	8	4
MUMU	A loose dress, often worn in the South Pacific.	8	8	12	4
NUNU	Slang for something cute or tiny (baby talk or informal use).	N/A	N/A	8	4
PUDU	The world’s smallest deer, native to South America.	7	7	10	4
PUKU	Māori word for belly or stomach.	N/A	N/A	13	4
PULU	Fibers from the Hawaiian tree fern used as stuffing.	N/A	6	N/A	4
PUPU	A Hawaiian term for appetizer or snack platter.	8	8	12	4
RURU	Māori word for a native owl species.	N/A	4	N/A	4
SULU	A traditional Fijian wraparound skirt.	4	4	7	4
SUSU	A West African savings club system.	N/A	4	N/A	4
TUTU	A short ballet skirt made of tulle.	4	4	6	4
UHUH	Expression of agreement or confirmation.	N/A	N/A	10	4
ULUS	Plural of ulu, Inuit curved knives.	4	4	7	4
UMUS	Plural of umu, Polynesian earth ovens.	N/A	N/A	9	4
UNAU	A type of slow-moving two-toed sloth.	4	4	7	4
UNUM	Latin for “one” (used in phrases like e pluribus unum).	N/A	N/A	10	4
URUS	An extinct species of large wild cattle.	4	4	6	4
UTUS	Plural form of utu (Māori reciprocity/revenge).	N/A	4	N/A	4
WUDU	Ablution or ritual washing in Islam.	N/A	8	10	4
YUZU	A tart, fragrant citrus fruit from East Asia.	16	16	17	4
ZULU	A major ethnic group and language in South Africa.	N/A	13	N/A	4

📄 Download Short UU Words for Scrabble (NWL & CSW)
📄 Download Short UU Words for Words With Friends

II Words

There are no playable 2-letter words in this vowel pair, and only one 3-letter word—IWI (Māori term for tribe or people), which is valid in Words With Friends and International Scrabble (CSW), but not accepted in NWL. Most options in this category are 4-letter words. While some are fun and thematic, many are either obscure or only playable in one dictionary, so double-check before committing. You’ll also find that scoring is generally modest, breaking 10 points is rare, and usually relies on a high-value tile like Z or K.

Word	Definition	NWL Score	CSW Score	WWF Score	Length
IWI	Māori term for tribe or people.	N/A	6	8	3
BIBI	Respectful form of address for a woman in South Asia.	8	8	10	4
BIDI	Thin Indian cigarette rolled in tendu leaf.	7	7	9	4
DIVI	Slangy or childish term for a foolish person (chiefly British).	8	8	10	4
DIXI	Latin for “I have spoken”; used to end a statement.	12	12	14	4
FIFI	Generic name for a dog (especially a toy breed); also slangy or affectionate.	10	10	12	4
FINI	French for “finished”; sometimes used in English stylistically.	7	7	9	4
HIFI	High-fidelity audio system.	13	13	15	4
HILI	Slang or nonstandard variation, sometimes used playfully.	7	7	9	4
HIOI	Māori word meaning lively or energetic (rare usage).	7	7	9	4
IBIS	Long-legged wading bird with a curved bill.	6	6	9	4
ILIA	Plural of ilium, part of the pelvis.	4	4	6	4
IMID	Type of chemical compound (imidazole derivative).	9	9	11	4
IMLI	Hindi word for tamarind (a sour fruit).	6	6	8	4
IMPI	Zulu warrior or regiment.	8	8	10	4
INIA	A genus of South American river dolphins.	4	4	6	4
INTI	Former currency of Peru; also an Incan sun god.	4	4	6	4
IRID	Type of iridescent insect; related to iris pigment.	5	5	7	4
IRIS	Part of the eye controlling pupil size; also a flower.	4	4	6	4
ISIT	Archaic or dialect contraction for “is it.”	4	4	6	4
IWIS	Archaic term meaning “certainly” or “truly.”	7	7	9	4
IXIA	Flowering plant of the iris family, native to South Africa.	11	11	13	4
KIWI	New Zealand flightless bird; also a nickname for New Zealanders.	11	11	13	4
LIRI	River in central Italy.	4	4	6	4
MIDI	Musical interface standard; also a skirt length (mid-calf).	7	7	9	4
MIHI	Māori word for a greeting or speech.	9	9	11	4
MIMI	Diminutive or pet name; also a term for a mime.	8	8	10	4
MINI	Something small or miniature.	6	6	8	4
MIRI	Malaysian city in Borneo; also a personal name.	6	6	8	4
NIDI	Plural of nidus, a nest or breeding place.	6	6	8	4
NISI	Latin for “unless”; used in legal phrases (e.g., decree nisi).	4	4	6	4
PIKI	Māori word for climb or rise.	10	10	12	4
PILI	Tropical tree with edible nuts (pili nuts).	6	6	8	4
PIPI	Edible New Zealand clam; also baby-talk for urine.	8	8	10	4
SIMI	Curved sword from East Africa.	6	6	8	4
SIRI	Personal name; also Apple's virtual assistant.	4	4	6	4
TIKI	Polynesian carved figure; also a style of decor.	8	8	10	4
TIPI	Cone-shaped tent used by some Indigenous North American peoples.	6	6	8	4
TITI	Type of seabird; also a Māori name for the muttonbird.	4	4	6	4
VICI	Latin for “I conquered,” from veni, vidi, vici.	9	9	11	4
WIFI	Wireless internet connection.	10	10	12	4
WIKI	Collaborative website editable by users.	11	11	13	4
WILI	Slavic folklore spirit of a young woman who died before marriage.	7	7	9	4
ZITI	Tube-shaped pasta, often baked.	13	13	15	4

📄 Download Short II Words for Scrabble (NWL & CSW)
📄 Download Short II Words for Words With Friends

YU Words: A Surprisingly Bountiful Pair

YU is accepted in International Scrabble, and this pair offers more playable 3- and 4-letter words than any other "dead" vowel combination. However, word acceptance varies across dictionaries, and care is needed when switching between NWL, CSW, and WWF. High-scoring opportunities are rare but possible, especially when a J, K, or Z comes into play.

Word	Definition	NWL Score	CSW Score	WWF Score	Length
YU	Informal spelling of "you."	N/A	5	N/A	2
AYU	A small, sweetfish found in East Asia.	N/A	6	N/A	3
BUY	To purchase something.	8	8	9	3
GUY	A man or person; also, to make fun of.	7	7	8	3
KYU	A grade level for students of Japanese martial arts.	N/A	10	10	3
PUY	A volcanic hill, especially in Auvergne, France.	N/A	8	9	3
RYU	A school or style, especially in Japanese martial arts.	6	N/A	6	3
UEY	A U-turn (slang).	N/A	6	N/A	3
YOU	The second-person pronoun.	6	6	6	3
YUG	Informal variation, often used in dialects, for “jug” or container.	N/A	7	N/A	3
YUK	Expression of disgust; to laugh (slang).	10	10	10	3
YUM	Expression of enjoyment related to food.	8	8	9	3
YUP	Informal yes.	8	8	9	3
YUS	Slang plural of yes; celebratory exclamation.	N/A	6	6	3
AYUS	Plural of ayu, a freshwater fish.	N/A	7	N/A	4
BUOY	A floating marker or navigation device.	9	9	10	4
BURY	To place in the ground, typically after death.	9	9	10	4
BUSY	Occupied or actively engaged.	9	9	10	4
BUYS	Purchases.	9	9	10	4
DULY	In a proper or expected manner.	8	8	9	4
DUTY	A responsibility or obligation.	8	8	8	4
FUMY	Emitting fumes; smoky.	12	12	13	4
FURY	Intense anger or rage.	10	10	10	4
GULY	Full of gules (red) in heraldry.	N/A	8	N/A	4
GUYS	Plural of guy; people or ropes used for support.	8	8	9	4
HUGY	Resembling or full of hugs (very informal or rare).	N/A	11	N/A	4
JUDY	A girl’s name; from "Punch and Judy" puppet shows.	15	15	17	4
JURY	A group deciding a verdict in a trial.	14	14	16	4
KYUS	Plural of kyu, martial arts student ranks.	N/A	11	11	4
LUNY	Slang for crazy or eccentric.	7	7	9	4
PUKY	Resembling vomit; queasy (slang).	N/A	N/A	14	4
PULY	Covered in or resembling pulp; mushy (rare).	N/A	9	N/A	4
PUMY	Containing or resembling pumice.	N/A	11	N/A	4
PUNY	Small and weak.	9	9	11	4
PUYS	Plural of puy, a volcanic hill.	N/A	9	10	4
QUAY	A dock or wharf.	16	16	16	4
QUEY	A young cow or heifer.	16	16	16	4
RUBY	A red gemstone.	9	9	10	4
RULY	Orderly; well-behaved.	7	7	8	4
RYUS	Plural of ryu, schools of martial arts.	7	N/A	7	4
SUMY	Relating to Sumy, a city in Ukraine.	9	9	N/A	4
TUNY	Tuneful; musical (rare).	N/A	7	N/A	4
UEYS	Plural of uey, slang for U-turns.	N/A	7	N/A	4
UGLY	Unattractive or unpleasant.	8	8	10	4
UMPY	Lumpy or uneven (slangy).	N/A	11	13	4
UNDY	Lacking underwear (slang); informal or dialectal.	8	8	9	4
UPBY	Toward the higher part (Scottish dialect).	11	11	13	4
UPSY	Playful variation of “oopsie”; also “upsy-daisy.”	N/A	9	N/A	4
URDY	In heraldry, having pointed lines (rare).	N/A	8	N/A	4
YAUD	A worn-out horse (Scottish dialect).	8	8	8	4
YAUP	To yelp or cry out.	9	9	10	4
YEUK	To itch (Scottish dialect).	11	11	11	4
YEUX	French for “eyes.”	N/A	N/A	14	4
YOUK	To itch or scratch (Scots).	N/A	11	N/A	4
YOUR	Possessive form of "you."	7	7	7	4
YOUS	Plural or dialect form of “you.”	7	7	7	4
YUAN	Chinese unit of currency.	7	7	8	4
YUCA	Tropical plant also known as cassava.	9	9	10	4
YUCH	Expression of disgust (variant of yuk).	12	12	12	4
YUCK	Disgusted exclamation.	13	13	14	4
YUFT	Type of durable leather.	N/A	10	N/A	4
YUGA	A Hindu epoch or age.	8	8	9	4
YUGS	Plural of yug, rare/archaic word.	N/A	8	N/A	4
YUKE	Slang variant of yuk; to laugh.	11	11	N/A	4
YUKO	A scoring move in judo (now obsolete).	N/A	11	N/A	4
YUKS	Plural of yuk; laughs or guffaws.	11	11	11	4
YUKY	Laughable or amusing (slangy variant).	N/A	14	N/A	4
YULE	Christmas, especially in poetic or old-fashioned usage.	7	7	8	4
YUMP	To jump or leap (informal).	N/A	11	N/A	4
YUNX	A type of bird, the wryneck.	N/A	14	N/A	4
YUPS	Plural of yup; young urban professionals.	9	9	10	4
YURT	Round tent used by Central Asian nomads.	7	7	7	4
YUTZ	A foolish or clumsy person (Yiddish slang).	16	16	16	4
YUZU	An aromatic citrus fruit from East Asia.	16	16	17	4

📄 Download Short YU Words for Scrabble (NWL & CSW)
📄 Download Short YU Words for Words With Friends

Death Combos: Know Them, Beat Them

WU, VU, YU, UU, II, VV, WW, YY, QW, the so-called death combos are the dread of endgame Scrabble and Words with Friends. They’re hard to pair, rarely form plays, and if left on your rack, they can cost you the game.

But they don’t have to be fatal. Knowing shorts words like IWI, YUK, or WAQF can turn a dead-end into a lifeline. Most of these combos have at least one playable 3- or 4-letter word across one or more dictionaries. That means you can plan ahead, clear your rack, and avoid the dreaded point deduction.

The key? Learn the lifeboats now, so you’re not stuck bailing water later!

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