Is BACKWARD a valid Scrabble word?
Yes, BACKWARD is a valid word in US Scrabble and UK Scrabble, worth 20 points.
Base score before bonus squares; blank tiles score zero.
What does BACKWARD mean?
- adverb
at or to or toward the back or rear
“he moved back”
- adjective
directed or facing toward the back or rear
“a backward view”
- adverb
in a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal
“it's easy to get the `i' and the `e' backward in words like `seize' and `siege'”
- adjective
(used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature
“a backward lover”
Definitions from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University.
Points
20
Scrabble
22
Words With Friends
8
Letters
B (3) + A (1) + C (3) + K (5) + W (4) + A (1) + R (1) + D (2) = 20 points in Scrabble.
Dictionary status
- Scrabble (US & Canada)Valid
- Scrabble (UK & worldwide)Valid
- Words With FriendsListed
Scrabble lists: NWL2023 (US & Canada) and CSW24 (UK & worldwide). WWF uses our ENABLE reference plus verified additions. “Listed” and “Not listed” describe that reference; check acceptance in the game. Sources reviewed 2026-10-03.
Hooks for BACKWARD
Single letters that turn BACKWARD into another valid word in US Scrabble. Hooks let you extend a word already on the board.
Front hooks0
None — nothing can be added to the front.
Back hooks1
Anagrams of BACKWARD
Words that use exactly the same letters.
Words you can make from BACKWARD
The 60 highest-scoring words using these letters.
Study BACKWARD and related words
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