Is EXPLAIN a valid Scrabble word?
Yes, EXPLAIN is a valid word in US Scrabble and UK Scrabble, worth 16 points.
Base score before bonus squares; blank tiles score zero.
What does EXPLAIN mean?
- verb
make plain and comprehensible
“He explained the laws of physics to his students”
- verb
define
“The committee explained their plan for fund-raising to the Dean”
- verb
serve as a reason or cause or justification of
“Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work”
Definitions from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University.
Points
- Scrabble
- 16
- Words With Friends
- 19
- Letters
- 7
E (1) + X (8) + P (3) + L (1) + A (1) + I (1) + N (1) = 16 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 EXPLAIN
Single letters that turn EXPLAIN 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 EXPLAIN
The 60 highest-scoring words using these letters.
- pixel14
- alexin13
- xenial13
- apex13
- plex13
- axile12
- xenia12
- pax12
- pix12
- axel11
- axil11
- axle11
- ilex11
- nixe11
- axe10
- lax10
- lex10
- nix10
- ax9
- ex9
- xi9
- alpine8
- penial8
- pineal8
- lapin7
- panel7
- penal7
- pilea7
- plain7
- plane7
- plena7
- leap6
- lipa6
- lipe6
- nape6
- neap6
- nipa6
- pail6
- pain6
- pale6
- pali6
- pane6
- peal6
- pean6
- pein6
- pial6
- pian6
- pile6
- pina6
- pine6
- plan6
- plea6
- plie6
- alien5
- aline5
- anile5
- elain5
- liane5
- alp5
- ape5
Study EXPLAIN and related words
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