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Is BACKWATER a valid Scrabble word?

Yes, BACKWATER is a valid word in US Scrabble and UK Scrabble, worth 20 points.

Base score before bonus squares; blank tiles score zero.

What does BACKWATER mean?

  1. noun

    a body of water that was created by a flood or tide or by being held or forced back by a dam

    “the bayous and backwaters are breeding grounds for mosquitos”

  2. noun

    a place or condition in which no development or progress is occurring

    “the country is an economic backwater”

Definitions from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University.

Points

20

Scrabble

22

Words With Friends

9

Letters

B (3) + A (1) + C (3) + K (5) + W (4) + A (1) + T (1) + E (1) + R (1) = 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 BACKWATER

Single letters that turn BACKWATER 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

Words you can make from BACKWATER

The 60 highest-scoring words using these letters.

Study BACKWATER and related words

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