Short X-Words for Big Points in Scrabble & Words with Friends

The letter ‘X’ is a goldmine in word games. It’s worth 8 points in both Scrabble and Words With Friends, making it one of the highest-scoring single tiles you can play. Unlike ‘Q,’ which only has one playable two-letter word (QI), ‘X’ gives you multiple short-word options. It’s perfect for squeezing into tight spaces, making parallel plays, and racking up points even when the board feels crowded. Plus, a well-placed X-word can do more than score big. It can also block key bonus squares and shut down your opponent’s best moves.

In this guide, you’ll find 180+ short X-words ( up to 5 letters long) that can take your game to the next level. Plus, we’ve included memorization tips and printable word lists to help you learn them fast. Whether you’re aiming for a high score or just looking to sharpen your skills, these words will give you the edge.

The 2-Letter X-Words: Small but Mighty

When it comes to short, high-scoring words, AX, EX, OX, XI, and XU are some of the best you can play. Each of these words earns 9 points in Scrabble and Words With Friends, except for XU, which scores 10 in WWF because of the higher value of the letter ‘U.’ These words are incredibly useful for quick, efficient scoring and can fit into tight spaces while setting you up for even bigger plays.

Here’s a quick reference table for these essential 2-letter X-words:

Word	Definition & Example	NWL Score	CSW Score	WWF Score
AX	"A tool with a sharp blade for chopping. Example: He swung the ax to cut firewood."	9	9	9
EX	"A former partner. Example: She bumped into her ex at the café."	9	9	9
OX	"A large, domesticated bovine. Example: The ox pulled the heavy cart."	9	9	9
XI	"The 14th letter of the Greek alphabet. Example: The symbol xi appears in mathematical equations."	9	9	9
XU	"A Vietnamese currency unit. Example: He found an old xu coin in his collection."	9	9	10

📄 Download the list of all 2-letter X-words playable in Scrabble and Words with Friends

The 3-Letter X-Words: High Scores & Special Cases

Three-letter X-words pack a serious punch, with scores ranging from 10 to 19 points even before hitting any bonus squares. Some of the best words to play are ZAX, PYX, and KEX, which score the highest. However, not all X-words are accepted across all word game dictionaries:

VAX and TIX aren’t playable in Words With Friends because they’re abbreviations.
XED is only valid in NWL Scrabble (not in CSW or WWF).
Words containing U or N have slightly different values in Words With Friends due to different letter point distributions.

Here’s a handy reference for these high-scoring 3-letter X-words:

Word	Definition & Example	NWL Score	CSW Score	WWF Score
ZAX	A tool for cutting roof slates. Example: The roofer used a zax to trim the shingles.	19	19	19
PYX	A container for holding the Eucharist. Example: The priest placed the wafer in the pyx.	15	15	15
KEX	A dry, hollow plant stem. Example: The field was full of brittle kex.	14	14	14
FAX	A document sent electronically over a telephone line. Example: He sent the contract by fax.	13	13	13
FIX	To repair or make something right. Example: She needs to fix her broken glasses.	13	13	13
FOX	A clever, wild animal with a bushy tail. Example: The fox sneaked into the henhouse.	13	13	13
HEX	A spell or curse. Example: The witch cast a hex on him.	13	13	12
OXY	Containing oxygen. Example: The oxy mask helped him breathe.	13	13	12
VAX	Short for vaccine or vaccination. Example: She got her flu vax today.	13	13	N/A
VEX	To annoy or frustrate. Example: His rudeness continued to vex her.	13	13	14
VOX	Latin for "voice." Example: The radio host’s vox was deep and smooth.	13	13	14
WAX	A sticky substance or to polish. Example: She used wax to shine the table.	13	13	13
BOX	A container with a lid. Example: She stored old letters in a wooden box.	12	12	13
COX	A person who steers a rowing boat. Example: The cox shouted commands to the crew.	12	12	12
MAX	Short for maximum, meaning the highest amount. Example: He reached the max speed limit.	12	12	13
MIX	To combine ingredients. Example: She used a spoon to mix the batter.	12	12	13
MUX	Short for multiplexer, a signal-processing device. Example: The engineer configured the mux for better performance.	12	12	14
PAX	Latin for "peace." Example: The treaty restored pax between nations.	12	12	13
PIX	Short for pictures. Example: He uploaded new pix to his profile.	12	12	13
POX	A disease causing skin pustules. Example: The child was vaccinated against pox.	12	12	13
DEX	Short for dexterity, meaning agility. Example: The gymnast’s dex helped her win.	11	11	11
DOX	To publish private information about someone online. Example: The hacker threatened to dox his rival.	11	11	11
GOX	Gaseous oxygen. Example: The astronaut’s suit contained gox for breathing.	11	11	12
XED	Marked with an X. Example: He xed out the wrong answer.	11	N/A	N/A
AXE	A tool for chopping wood. Example: He sharpened his axe before splitting logs.	10	10	10
LAX	Not strict or firm. Example: His lax attitude led to mistakes.	10	10	11
LEX	Latin for "law." Example: The ancient lex governed trade.	10	10	11
LOX	Smoked salmon. Example: She spread cream cheese and lox on her bagel.	10	10	11
LUX	A unit of light measurement. Example: The room was dimly lit at 100 lux.	10	10	12
NIX	To reject or cancel. Example: The boss nixed the idea quickly.	10	10	11
OXO	Containing oxygen. Example: The oxo compounds reacted in the test.	10	10	10
RAX	To stretch out. Example: He had to rax to reach the top shelf.	10	10	10
REX	Latin for "king." Example: The lion is often called the rex of the jungle.	10	10	10
SAX	Short for saxophone. Example: The jazz musician played the sax beautifully.	10	10	10
SEX	Biological classification or reproduction. Example: The scientist studied sex differences in birds.	10	10	10
SIX	The number after five. Example: She rolled a six on the die.	10	10	10
SOX	Plural of sock. Example: He wore red sox to the game.	10	10	10
TAX	A government-imposed charge. Example: The new law increased property tax.	10	10	10
TIX	Short for tickets. Example: They bought tix to the concert.	10	10	N/A
TUX	Short for tuxedo. Example: He wore a black tux to the wedding.	10	10	11
XIS	Plural of xi, a Greek letter. Example: The equation contained several xis.	10	10	10

📄 Download the list of all 3-letter X-words playable in Scrabble and Words with Friends

4-Letter X-Words: Key Highlights

There are 73 4-letter X-words, with scores ranging from 11 to 18 points when no bonus squares are involved. Among these, the highest-scoring words tend to include additional high-value letters like J or Y, alongside X. Words such as JEUX, JINX, FOXY, WAXY, BOXY, PIXY, and POXY top the list.

While some tools may suggest that words like VAXX and DOXX are among the highest-scoring, this is not entirely accurate. Both words contain two X tiles, but since there is only one X tile on the board, these words can only be played using a blank tile, which has no value. Therefore, they do not offer the high scores some may expect.

It's also crucial to check the Scrabble dictionary and the Words With Friends dictionary before playing, as not all of these words are accepted in every word list. For example:

VAXX, MPOX, EXED, and FOLX are not accepted in Words with Friends (WWF)
OXIC is accepted in NASPA and WWF, but not in Collins Scrabble.

Here's a breakdown of some of these 4-letter X-words, their definitions, and their scores across different word game platforms:

Word	Definition & Example	NWL Score	CSW Score	WWF Score
JEUX	Plural of "jeu" (French for game). Example: The children played different jeux.	18	18	21
JINX	A curse or bad luck. Example: He feared he had a jinx on him.	18	18	21
FOXY	Clever or attractive. Example: She had a foxy smile.	17	17	16
WAXY	Glossy or resembling wax. Example: The leaves had a waxy texture.	17	17	16
BOXY	Square-shaped. Example: The car had a boxy design.	16	16	16
PIXY	A small, mischievous fairy. Example: The pixy danced in the moonlight.	16	16	16
POXY	Covered in pox or poor quality. Example: He had a poxy excuse for being late.	16	16	16
DEXY	Containing dexedrine (a stimulant). Example: The patient’s medication was dexy.	15	15	14
DOXY	A lover or mistress. Example: The pirate was accompanied by his doxy.	15	15	14
MPOX	Another term for monkeypox. Example: The mpox outbreak led to vaccinations.	15	15	N/A
FALX	A sickle-shaped structure. Example: The brain has a falx separating its hemispheres.	14	14	15
FAUX	Fake or imitation. Example: She wore a faux fur coat.	14	14	15
FIXT	Fixed or fastened. Example: The damaged bridge was finally fixt.	14	14	14
FLAX	A plant used for linen and seeds. Example: She wore a dress made of flax fibers.	14	14	15
FLEX	To bend or show off strength. Example: He liked to flex his muscles.	14	14	15
FLUX	Continuous change. Example: The situation remained in flux.	14	14	16
FOLX	Inclusive term for people. Example: Folx gathered to celebrate the festival.	14	14	N/A
HOAX	A trick or deception. Example: The UFO sighting turned out to be a hoax.	14	14	13
LYNX	A wild cat with tufted ears. Example: The lynx stalked its prey in the snow.	14	14	15
NIXY	Undeliverable mail. Example: The package was marked nixy and returned.	14	14	14
ONYX	A black gemstone. Example: She wore an onyx ring.	14	14	14
ORYX	A large antelope. Example: The oryx roamed the desert.	14	14	13
SEXY	Attractive or appealing. Example: The sports car looked sexy in red.	14	14	13
VEXT	Annoyed or troubled. Example: He was vext by their rudeness.	14	14	15
XYST	A covered walkway. Example: The monks walked along the xyst in silence.	14	14	13
VAXX	A vaccine or vaccination. Example: She got her flu vaxx last week.	13	13	N/A
APEX	The highest point. Example: They reached the apex of the mountain.	13	13	14
BRUX	To grind teeth. Example: Stress caused him to brux at night.	13	13	15
CALX	A powdery residue from heating minerals. Example: The experiment left behind white calx.	13	13	15
COAX	To persuade gently. Example: She tried to coax the cat out of hiding.	13	13	14
COXA	The hip joint. Example: The coxa connects the leg to the body.	13	13	14
CRUX	The essential point. Example: The crux of the issue was trust.	13	13	15
EXAM	A test. Example: She studied all night for the exam.	13	13	14
EXEC	Short for executive. Example: The exec made the final decision.	13	13	14
EXPO	A public exhibition. Example: The tech expo showcased new gadgets.	13	13	14
IBEX	A wild goat with curved horns. Example: The ibex climbed the steep cliff.	13	13	14
MAXI	Long or large. Example: She wore a flowing maxi dress.	13	13	14
MINX	A playful or mischievous woman. Example: The minx winked as she walked away.	13	13	15
MIXT	Mixed or blended. Example: The mixt ingredients made a smooth batter.	13	13	14
MOXA	A herb used in acupuncture. Example: The doctor burned moxa for healing.	13	13	14
OXIC	Containing oxygen. Example: The oxic layer supports marine life.	13	N/A	14
OXIM	A chemical compound. Example: The scientist studied the oxim reaction.	13	13	14
PLEX	A complex structure. Example: The cinema plex had 10 screens.	13	13	15
PREX	Short for president. Example: The school prex made an announcement.	13	13	14
AXED	Cut or removed. Example: The project was axed due to budget cuts.	12	12	12
DOUX	Sweet or soft (French). Example: The wine had a doux finish.	12	12	13
EXED	Marked with an "X". Example: He exed out the wrong answer.	12	12	N/A
OXID	A variation of oxide. Example: The metal’s surface formed an oxid layer.	12	12	12
DOXX	To publicly share private information online. Example: He was banned for trying to doxx someone.	11	11	11
AXAL	Related to an axis. Example: The axal symmetry of the flower was striking.	11	11	12
AXEL	A skating jump with one and a half rotations. Example: She landed a perfect axel in her routine.	11	11	12
AXES	Plural of axe or a reference line in graphs. Example: He sharpened his axes before chopping wood.	11	11	11
AXIL	The angle between a leaf and stem. Example: The flower bud formed in the axil of the leaf.	11	11	12
AXIS	A central line of rotation. Example: The Earth spins on its axis.	11	11	11
AXLE	A rod connecting wheels. Example: The truck’s axle broke on the highway.	11	11	12
AXON	A nerve fiber. Example: The axon transmits signals to the brain.	11	11	12
EAUX	Plural of "eau" (French for water). Example: The eaux of the river sparkled in the sun.	11	11	12
EXES	Plural of "ex" (former partners). Example: Her exes all showed up at the party.	11	11	11
EXIT	A way out. Example: He rushed toward the emergency exit.	11	11	11
EXON	A segment of DNA coding for proteins. Example: Scientists studied the exon sequences.	11	11	12
ILEX	A type of holly tree. Example: The garden was lined with ilex bushes.	11	11	12
IXIA	A flowering plant. Example: The garden had bright ixia blooms.	11	11	11
LUXE	Luxury. Example: The hotel had a luxe interior.	11	11	13
NEXT	Coming after. Example: He’s the next speaker on stage.	11	11	12
NIXE	A water spirit. Example: The nixe lured sailors into the lake.	11	11	12
OXEN	Plural of ox. Example: The oxen pulled the plow.	11	11	12
OXER	A wide horse-jumping obstacle. Example: The rider cleared the oxer easily.	11	11	11
OXES	Plural of ox. Example: The oxes grazed in the field.	11	11	11
ROUX	A mixture of butter and flour for sauces. Example: The chef whisked the roux for the soup.	11	11	12
SEXT	A midday prayer or explicit text. Example: He accidentally sent a sext to the wrong person.	11	11	11
TAXA	Plural of taxon, a classification group. Example: Scientists studied various taxa of insects.	11	11	11
TAXI	A hired car. Example: She waved for a taxi in the rain.	11	11	11
TEXT	Written words. Example: He read the text on his phone.	11	11	11

📄 Download the list of all 4-letter X-words playable in Scrabble and Words with Friends

5-Letter X-Words: High-Scoring and Handy Picks

For practical purposes, we’re narrowing this list to around 60 of the most useful 5-letter words with X in them. These words aren’t just valuable for Scrabble but also handy for other word games like Wordle (except for plurals and past-tense -ed words) and The Mini Crossword.

Scoring Insights

The highest-scoring words in this category range from 11 to 18 points in Scrabble and Words With Friends. Among them, AFFIX, EPOXY, and PROXY stand out as the top-scoring words thanks to their inclusion of Y or double F.

One commonly misunderstood word in this set is XEROX. Many scoring tools list it as being worth 18 points, but this calculation assumes the use of two X tiles. Since Scrabble and WWF only have one X, playing XEROX requires a blank tile, which has no point value—bringing its real score down to 11 without bonuses.

Here’s a breakdown of some must-know 5-letter X-words along with their Scrabble and WWF scores:

Word	Definition & Example	NWL Score	CSW Score	WWF Score
AFFIX	To attach or add. Example: Please affix the stamp to the envelope.	18	18	18
EPOXY	A strong adhesive or resin. Example: He used epoxy glue to fix the broken vase.	17	17	17
PROXY	A substitute or representative. Example: She attended the meeting as his proxy.	17	17	17
BUXOM	Plump or full-figured. Example: The painting depicted a buxom woman in a red dress.	16	16	19
FIXED	Repaired or unchanging. Example: The mechanic fixed the broken car.	16	16	16
MAXIM	A general rule or principle. Example: ""Honesty is the best policy"" is a common maxim.	16	16	18
WAXED	Polished or increased. Example: He waxed the car until it shined.	16	16	16
BOXED	Packed in a box. Example: The books were boxed and ready for shipping.	15	15	16
CODEX	An ancient book or manuscript. Example: Scholars studied the medieval codex for clues about history.	15	15	16
FIXER	Someone who solves problems or repairs things. Example: The political fixer handled the scandal discreetly.	15	15	15
FIXES	Plural of fix (repairs or solutions). Example: The developer made several fixes to the software.	15	15	15
FOXES	Plural of fox (cunning animals). Example: A family of foxes lived near the woods.	15	15	15
HELIX	A spiral shape. Example: DNA is structured as a double helix.	15	15	15
MIXED	Combined or varied. Example: The cake batter was well mixed.	15	15	16
SIXTH	The position after fifth. Example: She finished in sixth place.	15	15	14
SIXTY	The number 60. Example: His grandfather turned sixty years old today.	15	15	14
TWIXT	An old word for "between." Example: He stood twixt the two arguing friends.	15	15	15
VIXEN	A female fox or a fiery woman. Example: The actress played a cunning vixen in the film.	15	15	17
WAXEN	Pale or smooth like wax. Example: His waxen complexion showed he was unwell.	15	15	16
AXIOM	A self-evident truth. Example: The axiom ""time is money"" is widely accepted.	14	14	15
BORAX	A mineral used in cleaning products. Example: She added borax to her laundry detergent.	14	14	15
BOXER	A fighter or breed of dog. Example: The boxer landed a strong punch in the match.	14	14	15
BOXES	Plural of box. Example: The garage was filled with moving boxes.	14	14	15
EXACT	Precise or accurate. Example: The exact amount needed is $20.75.	14	14	15
EXAMS	Plural of exam (tests). Example: The students studied hard for their final exams.	14	14	15
EXCEL	To perform exceptionally well. Example: She continues to excel in mathematics.	14	14	16
EXECS	Short for executives. Example: The execs met to discuss the company’s future.	14	14	15
EXPAT	A person living in a foreign country. Example: The expat community in Paris is quite large.	14	14	15
EXPEL	To force out or remove. Example: The school decided to expel the troublemaker.	14	14	16
INBOX	A folder for incoming emails. Example: Her inbox was full of unread messages.	14	N/A	16
MIXER	A device or social gathering. Example: She bought a new mixer for baking.	14	14	15
MIXES	Plural of mix (blends or combinations). Example: The DJ created unique mixes of songs.	14	14	15
PIXEL	A tiny unit in a digital image. Example: The high-resolution screen had millions of pixels.	14	14	16
PIXIE	A small, mischievous fairy. Example: The pixie sprinkled magic dust in the air.	14	14	15
REMIX	A modified version of something, usually music. Example: The DJ played a remix of the hit song.	14	14	15
TOXIC	Poisonous or harmful. Example: The fumes were toxic and dangerous to breathe.	14	14	15
DETOX	A process of removing toxins. Example: She went on a detox diet to feel healthier.	13	13	13
INDEX	An ordered list or reference. Example: Check the index for page numbers.	13	13	14
OXIDE	A compound of oxygen and another element. Example: Rust is an iron oxide.	13	13	13
TAXED	Subjected to a tax or burdened. Example: The government taxed sugary drinks.	13	13	13
ANNEX	To add or take over, especially land. Example: The country decided to annex the neighboring territory.	12	12	14
AXIAL	Related to an axis. Example: The planet's axial tilt affects its seasons.	12	12	13
AXION	A theoretical particle in physics. Example: Scientists are still searching for evidence of the axion.	12	12	13
EXALT	To praise highly. Example: The speech exalted the hero’s bravery.	12	12	13
EXERT	To apply force or effort. Example: He had to exert extra effort to lift the weight.	12	12	12
EXILE	Forced removal from one's home. Example: The king lived in exile after the revolution.	12	12	13
EXIST	To be real or present. Example: Do you think aliens exist?	12	12	12
EXITS	Plural of exit (ways out). Example: The building had multiple exits for safety.	12	12	12
EXTOL	To praise enthusiastically. Example: The teacher extolled the student’s hard work.	12	12	13
EXTRA	More than necessary. Example: She packed extra clothes for the trip.	12	12	12
EXULT	To rejoice or celebrate. Example: The team exulted in their victory.	12	12	14
LATEX	A type of rubber or milky fluid. Example: Some people are allergic to latex gloves.	12	12	13
NEXUS	A connection or link. Example: The internet is a nexus of information.	12	12	14
RELAX	To rest or unwind. Example: He took a deep breath to relax.	12	12	13
SEXES	Plural of sex (genders). Example: The survey compared the two sexes.	12	12	12
TAXES	Plural of tax (mandatory payments). Example: They filed their taxes before the deadline.	12	12	12
TAXIS	Plural of taxi (hired cars). Example: The airport had a long line of taxis waiting.	12	12	12
TEXAS	A U.S. state. Example: They took a road trip to Texas.	12	12	12
TEXTS	Plural of text (messages or written works). Example: She sent several texts to her friend.	12	12	12
TOXIN	A poisonous substance. Example: The snake’s toxin can be deadly.	12	12	13
XEROX	A photocopy or to make a copy. Example: She Xeroxed the report for her team.	11	11	11

📄 Download the list of the most popular 5-letter X-words for Scrabble, Words with Friends, Wordle, and beyond

Mastering X-Words by Endings: AX, OX, EX, IX

One of the best ways to commit X-words to memory is by focusing on their common endings. To make learning easier, we’ve grouped them into four key categories: -AX, -OX, -EX, and -IX. Recognizing these patterns will not only boost your Scrabble or Words with Friends game but they can also help with Wordle.

For each word ending, we’ll provide:

A structured table featuring high-scoring words along with their definitions and point values.
Printable lists sorted by length ( 2 to 5 letters), perfect for quick reference and memorization.

Words Ending in -AX

Among the -AX words, the simplest and most essential is AX, a common tool for chopping wood. Moving to three-letter words, we have 10 options, with ZAX leading the pack as the highest-scoring word (19 points without any bonus). Other useful picks include FAX, VAX, WAX, and MAX, which frequently appear in both casual and competitive play.

For four-letter words, common choices like FLAX, HOAX, and COAX offer solid scoring potential, while among the five-letter words, BORAX and RELAX are handy words to remember, even if they don’t break high-score records.

Now, here’s a table summarizing these words:

Word	Definition & Example	NWL Score	CSW Score	WWF Score	Length
AX	"A tool with a sharp blade for chopping. Example: He swung the ax to cut firewood."	9	9	9	2
ZAX	"A tool for cutting roof slates. Example: The roofer used a zax to trim the shingles."	19	19	19	3
FAX	"A document sent electronically over a telephone line. Example: He sent the contract by fax."	13	13	13	3
VAX	"Short for vaccine or vaccination. Example: She got her flu vax today."	13	13	N/A	3
WAX	"A sticky substance or to polish. Example: She used wax to shine the table."	13	13	13	3
MAX	"Short for maximum, meaning the highest amount. Example: He reached the max speed limit."	12	12	13	3
PAX	"Latin for 'peace.' Example: The treaty restored pax between nations."	12	12	13	3
LAX	"Not strict or firm. Example: His lax attitude led to mistakes."	10	10	11	3
RAX	"To stretch out. Example: He had to rax to reach the top shelf."	10	10	10	3
SAX	"Short for saxophone. Example: The jazz musician played the sax beautifully."	10	10	10	3
TAX	"A government-imposed charge. Example: The new law increased property tax."	10	10	10	3
FLAX	"A plant used for linen and seeds. Example: She wore a dress made of flax fibers."	14	14	15	4
HOAX	"A trick or deception. Example: The UFO sighting turned out to be a hoax."	14	14	13	4
COAX	"To persuade gently. Example: She tried to coax the cat out of hiding."	13	13	14	4
BORAX	"A mineral used in cleaning products. Example: She added borax to her laundry detergent."	14	14	15	5
RELAX	"To rest or unwind. Example: He took a deep breath to relax."	12	12	13	5

📄 Download the full list of all 2- to 5-letter words ending in -AX (printable PDF)

Words Ending in -OX

There are only 14 words that end in -OX, making this one of the smaller word groups to memorize. The shortest is OX, a basic but high-value two-letter word. Among the nine three-letter words, options like FOX, VOX, and BOX are useful in both casual and competitive play.

One standout word is XEROX, a tricky five-letter word that many word tools list with a high Scrabble and WWF score. However, due to the single X tile in play, forming XEROX always requires a blank tile, meaning its base score is only 11 points. On the plus side, it’s a playable Wordle word—though not an easy one!
MPOX is not playable in Words with Friends and INBOX is not accepted in Collin/International Scrabble.

Now, here’s the full list of -OX words in table format:

Word	Definition & Example	NWL Score	CSW Score	WWF Score	Length
OX	"A large, domesticated bovine. Example: The ox pulled the heavy cart."	9	9	9	2
FOX	"A clever, wild animal with a bushy tail. Example: The fox sneaked into the henhouse."	13	13	13	3
VOX	"Latin for 'voice.' Example: The radio host’s vox was deep and smooth."	13	13	14	3
BOX	"A container with a lid. Example: She stored old letters in a wooden box."	12	12	13	3
COX	"A person who steers a rowing boat. Example: The cox shouted commands to the crew."	12	12	12	3
POX	"A disease causing skin pustules. Example: The child was vaccinated against pox."	12	12	13	3
DOX	"To publish private information about someone online. Example: The hacker threatened to dox his rival."	11	11	11	3
GOX	"Gaseous oxygen. Example: The astronaut’s suit contained gox for breathing."	11	11	12	3
LOX	"Smoked salmon. Example: She spread cream cheese and lox on her bagel."	10	10	11	3
SOX	"Plural of sock. Example: He wore red sox to the game."	10	10	10	3
MPOX	"Another term for monkeypox. Example: The mpox outbreak led to vaccinations."	15	15	N/A	4
INBOX	"A folder for incoming emails. Example: Her inbox was full of unread messages."	14	N/A	16	5
DETOX	"A process of removing toxins. Example: She went on a detox diet to feel healthier."	13	13	13	5
XEROX	"A photocopy or to make a copy. Example: She Xeroxed the report for her team."	11	11	11	5

📄 Download the full list of all 2- to 5-letter words ending in -OX (printable PDF)

Words Ending in -EX

There are 16 words that end in -EX, the smallest is EX. Among the 3-letter words, we have KEX, VEX, and HEX. The highest-scoring word in this category is CODEX (15 points in Scrabble and 16 points according to Words with Friends rules).

Here’s the full list of -EX words in table format:

Word	Definition & Example	NWL Score	CSW Score	WWF Score	Length
EX	"A former partner. Example: She bumped into her ex at the café."	9	9	9	2
KEX	"A dry, hollow plant stem. Example: The field was full of brittle kex."	14	14	14	3
HEX	"A spell or curse. Example: The witch cast a hex on him."	13	13	12	3
VEX	"To annoy or frustrate. Example: His rudeness continued to vex her."	13	13	14	3
DEX	"Short for dexterity, meaning agility. Example: The gymnast’s dex helped her win."	11	11	11	3
LEX	"Latin for 'law.' Example: The ancient lex governed trade."	10	10	11	3
REX	"Latin for 'king.' Example: The lion is often called the rex of the jungle."	10	10	10	3
SEX	"Biological classification or reproduction. Example: The scientist studied sex differences in birds."	10	10	10	3
FLEX	"To bend or show off strength. Example: He liked to flex his muscles."	14	14	15	4
APEX	"The highest point. Example: They reached the apex of the mountain."	13	13	14	4
IBEX	"A wild goat with curved horns. Example: The ibex climbed the steep cliff."	13	13	14	4
PLEX	"A complex structure. Example: The cinema plex had 10 screens."	13	13	15	4
PREX	"Short for president. Example: The school prex made an announcement."	13	13	14	4
ILEX	"A type of holly tree. Example: The garden was lined with ilex bushes."	11	11	12	4
CODEX	"An ancient book or manuscript. Example: Scholars studied the medieval codex for clues about history."	15	15	16	5
INDEX	"An ordered list or reference. Example: Check the index for page numbers."	13	13	14	5
ANNEX	"To add or take over, especially land. Example: The country decided to annex the neighboring territory."	12	12	14	5
LATEX	"A type of rubber or milky fluid. Example: Some people are allergic to latex gloves."	12	12	13	5

📄 Download the full list of all 2- to 5-letter words ending in -EX (printable PDF)

-IX Ending Words

We only have a handful of options for -IX ending words, which makes them easy to memorize. There are no 2-letter words or 4-letter words in this category, but we have six 3-letter words and three common 5-letter words. Among them, AFFIX stands out as the highest-scoring word, while REMIX is widely recognized thanks to its use in music. TIX is not playable in Words with Friends.

Word	Definition & Example	NWL Score	CSW Score	WWF Score	Length
FIX	"To repair or make something right. Example: She needs to fix her broken glasses."	13	13	13	3
MIX	"To combine ingredients. Example: She used a spoon to mix the batter."	12	12	13	3
NIX	"To reject or cancel. Example: The boss nixed the idea quickly."	10	10	11	3
PIX	"Short for pictures. Example: He uploaded new pix to his profile."	12	12	13	3
SIX	"The number after five. Example: She rolled a six on the die."	10	10	10	3
TIX	"Short for tickets. Example: They bought tix to the concert."	10	10	N/A	3
AFFIX	"To attach or add. Example: Please affix the stamp to the envelope."	18	18	18	5
HELIX	"A spiral shape. Example: DNA is structured as a double helix."	15	15	15	5
REMIX	"A modified version of something, usually music. Example: The DJ played a remix of the hit song."	14	14	15	5

📄 Download the full list of all 2- to 5-letter words ending in -IX (printable PDF)

Strategic X: Smart Plays on Tight Space and High-Scoring X-Words

When used wisely, X can be one of the most powerful letters in your Scrabble arsenal. Whether you're playing for maximum points, playing parallel words, or blocking your opponent, knowing how to play Scrabble and when to drop an X-word can make a big difference.

In this section, we break down real board scenarios highlighting smart use of X-words.

Example 1: Starting Strong with X

In this opening play, Player 1 lays down the word MODEM, a common five-letter word.

Player 2 capitalizes immediately by playing EPOXY, crossing the O in MODEM. This clever move places both the E and the Y on triple letter score tiles, scoring 27 points.

Scrabble Play: Scoring High with a 5-letter X-word

💡 Pro Tip: Mastering 5-letter X-words like EPOXY, AFFIX, or PROXY can give you a tactical edge, especially when paired with premium square planning.

Example 2: Parallel Play Power with XED (64 points)

Player 1 opens with: VOTES
Player 2 plays: MODEM, placed just below VOTES
Player 1 seizes the moment with a brilliant parallel play: XED

In this tight space, XED is placed horizontally under MODEM, forming four words at once:

XED = 27 points (with X on a triple letter square)
VOX = 29 points ( X on a triple letter square)
ODE = 4 points
TED = 4 points

Total: 64 points in a single move.

This play demonstrates the power of short X-words in tight spots and the value of board awareness. With just three letters, Player 1 turns a narrow space into a high-scoring explosion and effectively blocks the double word bonus square on the row below XED, limiting future high-value plays by the opponent.

Sometimes, defense is just as satisfying as offense.

Scrabble Play: Four words in a single move relying on 3-letter X-words

💡 Pro Tip: Learn 3-letter X-words like VOX, ZAX, and FAX not just for points, but for their flexibility in tight spaces.

The X Factor: Why These Words Matter Beyond the Board

Short X-words are more than just high scorers, they’re strategic gold across every word game. In Scrabble and Words With Friends, they unlock tight board spaces and maximize bonus squares. In crosswords (yes, we mean Xwords), they're frequent entries thanks to their punchy length and unusual letters. And, in games like Wordle, Spelling Bee, or any anagram puzzle, having them top of mind can make all the difference between a lucky guess and a winning streak.

So, whether you’re aiming for a triple word score or solving that final clue, mastering your Xs is a move that pays off.

Keep them handy. Keep them sharp. And let the X work for you!

Need help finding the best plays? Try our Word Finder tools:

Today's Puzzle Hints

Yesterday's Puzzle Hints

Past Puzzle Hints

Word Finders

Puzzle Games Insights