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Is DETECTIVE a valid Scrabble word?

Yes, DETECTIVE is a valid word in US Scrabble and UK Scrabble, worth 15 points.

Base score before bonus squares; blank tiles score zero.

What does DETECTIVE mean?

  1. noun

    a police officer who investigates crimes

  2. noun

    an investigator engaged or employed in obtaining information not easily available to the public

Definitions from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University.

Points

15

Scrabble

17

Words With Friends

9

Letters

D (2) + E (1) + T (1) + E (1) + C (3) + T (1) + I (1) + V (4) + E (1) = 15 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 DETECTIVE

Single letters that turn DETECTIVE 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 DETECTIVE

The 60 highest-scoring words using these letters.

Study DETECTIVE and related words

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