This checks a single word against the same dictionary used throughout Rackword and reports whether it's valid, along with its length, its tile value, and how many other words can be built from the same letters.
Which dictionary this uses, and why it matters
Results here come from ENABLE, a free public domain word list built specifically for word game software. It's a close, unofficial substitute for licensed tournament lists like NWL, used in North America, and Collins Scrabble Words, used in much of the rest of the world, broader in some places and narrower in others. If you're settling a dispute in a rated or tournament game, treat this as a helpful, free second opinion rather than the official ruling, and check your event's specified dictionary directly when it genuinely matters.
More than a plain yes or no
A valid word also shows its standard tile value and links straight to the Anagram Solver, already filled in with its letters, so you can see everything else those same tiles could have spelled.
Why word game dictionaries differ from each other
Every word game and every region tends to settle on its own official word list, built by different organizations at different times for different audiences. That's why a word can be perfectly valid in one game or one country's edition and rejected in another. There's no single universal Scrabble dictionary, which surprises a lot of players the first time it comes up mid game.
Frequently asked questions
Jump to a question (16 total)
- Is this word valid in Scrabble?
- What dictionary does this checker use?
- What's the difference between ENABLE and the official Scrabble dictionaries?
- Why isn't a word I expected showing up as valid?
- Can I use this to settle a Words with Friends dispute?
- How does this compare to the official Scrabble dictionary?
- Can I use this tool for crossword word checking?
- Does this checker recognize plural forms?
- Does it handle both British and American spellings?
- Can this tool give me a word's definition?
- Can I check more than one word at a time?
- How many words are in the dictionary behind this tool?
- Is ENABLE really public domain?
- Is there a way to check words through an official tournament word list directly on this site?
- Is the Check Dictionary tool free?
- Can I get to related words quickly from a valid word's result?
Is this word valid in Scrabble?
Type it into the box and this tool will tell you whether it's found in our dictionary, which is a strong, free indicator, though not a substitute for your event's official word list if you're playing somewhere competitive.
What dictionary does this checker use?
ENABLE, a free public domain word list built specifically for word game software. It contains around 172,800 words.
What's the difference between ENABLE and the official Scrabble dictionaries?
Official tournament word lists like NWL, used in North America, and Collins Scrabble Words, used in much of the rest of the world, are licensed and not freely redistributable. ENABLE was built as an open alternative, and while it overlaps heavily with both, it isn't identical to either one.
Why isn't a word I expected showing up as valid?
Every word list draws its line somewhere. This tool uses ENABLE rather than a specific licensed tournament dictionary, so a small number of edge case words may differ from what your particular game or event allows.
Can I use this to settle a Words with Friends dispute?
It can serve as a helpful reference, but Words with Friends uses its own official word list, which may not match ENABLE exactly in every case. Treat this as a strong second opinion rather than the final ruling.
How does this compare to the official Scrabble dictionary?
It's broader in some places and narrower in others. Most everyday and competitive vocabulary overlaps closely, but if you're playing in a rated or tournament setting, always defer to your event's specified dictionary for anything genuinely in dispute.
Can I use this tool for crossword word checking?
Yes, it works fine as a general word validity check for crosswords, though it won't provide definitions or clue style hints.
Does this checker recognize plural forms?
Yes, common regular and irregular plurals that appear in the ENABLE word list will be recognized just like any other entry.
Does it handle both British and American spellings?
ENABLE leans toward American spelling conventions in places where the two differ, so a small number of British spellings may not be recognized even when they're valid elsewhere.
Can this tool give me a word's definition?
Not currently. It confirms whether a word is valid, shows its length, its standard tile value, and how many other words share the same letters, but it doesn't look up definitions.
Can I check more than one word at a time?
Not yet. Each search checks a single word.
How many words are in the dictionary behind this tool?
Around 172,800, covering a broad mix of everyday vocabulary and more specialized or unusual words.
Is ENABLE really public domain?
Yes, it was compiled specifically to be a free, openly usable word list for word game software, unlike the licensed tournament dictionaries used in official competitive play.
Is there a way to check words through an official tournament word list directly on this site?
Not currently, since those lists are licensed and not freely redistributable. This tool is a solid, free approximation rather than a substitute for an official ruling.
Is the Check Dictionary tool free?
Yes, completely free with no account required.
Can I get to related words quickly from a valid word's result?
Yes, a valid word links straight to the Anagram Solver with its letters already filled in, so you can see everything else those same tiles could spell.