What you can search for
Think of this page as a flexible search over the whole dictionary. You are not limited to the letters in your hand. Ask for words that start with pre, end in ight, contain both q and z, or follow the pattern _a_e_. Mix and match: a word that starts with s, ends with e, contains x and has no a is one query.
Useful searches to try
- Words with no vowels: try the pattern
*with Cannot contain set toaeiou. You will find words like PSST and NTH. - Words that start and end with the same letter: enter Starts with and Ends with as the same letter to see the options.
- Long words with Q: put
qin Must contain and look at the longest groups. - Rhymes: set Ends with to the last syllable, such as ound.
For lists that are already put together for you, see 5 letter words, words with Q and words with Z.
Word games and word play
Beyond games, searching by pattern is a staple of writing and teaching. Poets look for rhymes, teachers build spelling lists around a common ending, and puzzle writers look for words that share unusual features. Because the engine runs in your browser, you can experiment as much as you like.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between this and the unscrambler?
The unscrambler builds words from a set of letters you hold. The word finder searches the whole dictionary for words with certain features: how they start, how they end, which letters they contain.
Can I find words that end in a specific suffix?
Yes. Enter the suffix in Ends with, for example tion or ous. Combine it with a prefix or a must-contain letter to narrow the list.
How many results will I get?
It depends on how specific the search is. Short prefixes such as re match thousands of words. We show them in length order and let you expand each group.
Can I exclude letters?
Yes. Use Cannot contain to remove any word that has one of the listed letters.
Why does a word I know not appear?
The dictionary excludes proper nouns, abbreviations and most hyphenated terms. A few newer words may also be missing. See our editorial standards.