Words Starting With EF
100 wordsEF- words carry the Latin prefix meaning 'out' or 'away,' giving English some of its most expressive vocabulary. From the quiet newt (EFT) to the dramatic EFFERVESCENCE, this pattern delivers words about transformation, outward movement, and visible change.
2-letter words
13-letter words
25-letter words
16-letter words
77-letter words
98-letter words
149-letter words
910-letter words
1711-letter words
1612-letter words
1013-letter words
614-letter words
515-letter words
3Pattern Guide
Insights and recommendations for these words.
The EF- pattern rewards players who learn its high-scoring double-F combinations and understand its Latin-rooted vocabulary.
Vocabulary & Language
Linguistic patterns and usage statistics
Nearly every EF- word traces back to the Latin prefix 'ex-' (out) combined with roots beginning in 'f,' which assimilated to create 'ef-.' This explains the characteristic double-F in words like EFFECT, EFFORT, and EFFACE. The pattern produces words about outward action: effluence flows out, effusion pours forth, and effacement removes from view.
Total Words
104
0.0% of dictionary
Avg Length
9.8 letters
3.7 syllables
Top Scrabble
EFFEMINIZING
30 points
Longest Word
EFFICACIOUSNESS
15 letters
Parts of Speech
This is a remarkably noun-heavy pattern at 54%, with adjectives claiming 27% of the vocabulary. The average length of 9.8 letters reflects how Latin prefixes build into substantial words, and 3.7 syllables per word confirms these aren't quick, simple terms.
Latin dominates this pattern overwhelmingly, with French serving as the main conduit that brought these words into English. Many EF- words passed through Middle French before arriving in English, explaining slight spelling variations from their Latin originals. This pattern showcases how scholarly and technical vocabulary entered English through French academic and legal channels.
Word Games
High-value words for board games
Short (2-4)
have sexual intercourse with
a newt in its terrestrial stage of development
Medium (5-7)
the process of flowing out
a representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture)
Long (8+)
Short (2-4)
have sexual intercourse with
a newt in its terrestrial stage of development
Medium (5-7)
the process of flowing out
Long (8+)
The double-F makes EF- words consistently valuable, but EFFLUX deserves attention—it scores 19 points in Scrabble versus 21 in WWF due to the boosted X value. EFFEMINIZING tops both games at 30 and 34 points respectively. Short plays matter too: EFF delivers 9 points in both games for just three letters, making it an excellent dump play when stuck with awkward F tiles.
Length Extremes
Longest and shortest valid words
Longest
Shortest
The shortest EF- words (EFF, EFT) are complete in themselves, while longer words pile on suffixes like -NESS, -LY, and -ING to their Latin roots. EFFICACIOUSNESS stretches to 15 letters through this suffix-stacking pattern.
Hidden Gems
Rare but valid words to surprise opponents
power to be effective; the quality of being able to bring about an effect
that is flowing outward
the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light
an unrestrained expression of emotion
EFFULGENCE means the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light—literally 'shining forth.' This word combines the high-scoring double-F with the valuable G, making it a powerful play when you can fit it. It's the kind of vocabulary that sounds literary but remains perfectly valid in competitive word games.
Popular crossword answers
Words frequently used in crossword puzzles with common clues.
More "EF" Pages
Browse words by longer letter combinations starting with "EF".