Words With A in the Middle
100 wordsWords with A in the middle form the backbone of English vocabulary. This massive collection spans everything from two-letter essentials to medical terminology, giving you options for any word game situation.
3-letter words
164-letter words
425-letter words
226-letter words
127-letter words
28-letter words
39-letter words
210-letter words
1Pattern Guide
Insights and recommendations for these words.
The letter A sits at the heart of English more than any other vowel. Here's how to use that central position to your advantage.
Vocabulary & Language
Linguistic patterns and usage statistics
A in the middle often signals Latin or French ancestry—think 'separate,' 'balance,' or 'parade.' Many of these words arrived during the Norman period, when French became the language of English courts. The pattern also captures countless compound forms where A serves as a connecting vowel between roots.
Total Words
65,327
21.8% of dictionary
Avg Length
9.4 letters
3.5 syllables
Top Scrabble
RAZZMATAZZ
48 points
Longest Word
ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC
20 letters
Parts of Speech
This pattern covers nearly 22% of the dictionary, making it one of the most productive vowel positions. The 60% noun dominance reflects how many concrete objects and abstract concepts use A as their central vowel.
Middle English dominates this pattern, reflecting words that evolved during the medieval period when English absorbed massive French and Latin influence. The progression from Latin through Old French to Middle English appears repeatedly—words like 'carnival' traveled from Latin 'carnem' through Italian and French before reaching English. This layered borrowing explains why so many A-middle words feel simultaneously familiar and formal.
Word Games
High-value words for board games
Short (2-4)
empty rhetoric or insincere or exaggerated talk
harass with persistent criticism or carping
Medium (5-7)
Long (8+)
any exciting and complex play intended to confuse (dazzle) the opponent
a diuretic drug (trade name Microzide, Esidrix, and HydroDIURIL) used in the treatment of hypertension
Short (2-4)
empty rhetoric or insincere or exaggerated talk
the fifth pillar of Islam is a pilgrimage to Mecca during the month of Dhu al-Hijja; at least once in a lifetime a Muslim is expected to make a religious journey to Mecca and the Kaaba
Medium (5-7)
the activeness of an energetic personality
a musician who plays or composes jazz music
Long (8+)
any exciting and complex play intended to confuse (dazzle) the opponent
inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva
JAZZ scores 29 in Scrabble but jumps to 31 in Words With Friends, where J carries more weight at 10 points versus 8. The real showstopper is RAZZMATAZZ—48 points in Scrabble, 49 in WWF. For WWF specifically, seek out JAZZMAN (38 points), which leverages that boosted J value. Keep HAJJ in mind for WWF; the doubled J makes it particularly valuable when you're stuck with multiple high-point tiles.
Wordle
5-letter words for daily puzzles
Good Starters (E, A, R, S, T)
Start with GREAT or YEARS to test A's position while covering common consonants. HEARD adds the useful H and D while confirming the A placement.
Length Extremes
Longest and shortest valid words
Longest
Shortest
Short words like AA and AD exist as minimal units—abbreviations and particles. The longest entries stretch to 20 letters because medical and scientific terminology loves Latin roots with central A sounds.
Hidden Gems
Rare but valid words to surprise opponents
a poplar that is widely cultivated in the United States; has white bark and leaves with whitish undersurfaces
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
"She abjured her beliefs"
failing to accomplish an intended result
"an abortive revolt"
reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
"the new law might abridge our freedom of expression"
ABJURE means to formally reject a belief, typically under pressure. It's a legal and philosophical term that rarely appears in casual conversation, making it a surprise weapon in word games. The 'bj' combination alone makes opponents doubt its validity.
Popular crossword answers
Words frequently used in crossword puzzles with common clues.