Words Starting With FOR
100 wordsFOR words form one of English's most productive prefixes, creating terms that reach forward in time, space, and concept. From simple monosyllables to the sprawling FORETHOUGHTFULNESS, this collection spans everyday vocabulary and specialized terminology alike.
3-letter words
14-letter words
65-letter words
66-letter words
127-letter words
198-letter words
189-letter words
2010-letter words
811-letter words
712-letter words
113-letter words
2Pattern Guide
Insights and recommendations for these words.
The FOR prefix transforms base words in predictable ways, making these words both learnable and strategically valuable across word games.
Vocabulary & Language
Linguistic patterns and usage statistics
FOR operates as both a standalone preposition and a powerful prefix meaning 'before' or 'in front of' (foremost, foretell) or indicating prohibition and intensity (forbid, forsake). This dual nature explains why FOR words cluster heavily around nouns—they describe things that come before or stand in front. The prefix also combines with verbs to create abstract concepts of anticipation and prevention.
Total Words
496
0.2% of dictionary
Avg Length
9.2 letters
2.9 syllables
Top Scrabble
FORETHOUGHTFULLY
32 points
Longest Word
FORETHOUGHTFULNESS
18 letters
Parts of Speech
With 56% nouns and an average length of 9.2 letters, FOR words skew toward compound formations rather than simple roots. The 20% adjective representation reflects how 'fore-' readily modifies nouns into descriptive terms like 'forested' or 'formal.'
Middle English dominates this pattern overwhelmingly, which makes sense—FOR is a native Germanic prefix that English retained while absorbing vocabulary from French and Latin. The interesting exceptions include words like FORTE (strength in music) that arrived via Italian from Latin 'fortis,' and FORCEMEAT, which traces back through French 'farcir' to Latin. These borrowed words often carry specialized meanings distinct from the native Germanic 'fore-' words.
Word Games
High-value words for board games
Short (2-4)
Medium (5-7)
an arched bundle of white fibers at the base of the brain by which the hippocampus of each hemisphere projects to the contralateral hippocampus and to the thalamus and mamillary bodies
add alcohol to (beverages)
Long (8+)
Short (2-4)
Medium (5-7)
the place where something divides into branches
an arched bundle of white fibers at the base of the brain by which the hippocampus of each hemisphere projects to the contralateral hippocampus and to the thalamus and mamillary bodies
an extractor consisting of a pair of pincers used in medical treatment (especially for the delivery of babies)
Long (8+)
FORB scores 9 in Scrabble but 10 in WWF, a small difference that matters in tight games. The real strategic value lies in words like FORCEPS and FORKING, which leverage WWF's higher K value. FORNIX offers solid mid-range scoring in both games while using the valuable X tile. For maximum points, FORWHY delivers 18 in Scrabble—an archaic word meaning 'why' that opponents rarely challenge.
Wordle
5-letter words for daily puzzles
Good Starters (E, A, R, S, T)
used as a direction in music; to be played relatively loudly
FORTE makes a solid Wordle opener, checking two vowels (O, E) and three common consonants. The T and R appear frequently in English words, giving you useful information regardless of letter placement.
Length Extremes
Longest and shortest valid words
Longest
Shortest
The prefix 'fore-' encourages compound building, which explains why FOR averages 9.2 letters per word. FORETHOUGHTFULNESS at 18 letters represents this tendency taken to its grammatical limit—a root plus multiple suffixes stacked systematically.
Hidden Gems
Rare but valid words to surprise opponents
marine microorganism having a calcareous shell with openings where pseudopods protrude
a person from whom you are descended
the mast nearest the bow in vessels with two or more masts
the act of renouncing; sacrificing or giving up or surrendering (a possession or right or title or privilege etc.)
FORAM deserves attention as a five-letter gem hiding in plain sight. It's short for foraminifera—marine microorganisms with calcium shells perforated by tiny holes for their pseudopods. In Scrabble, it's a useful way to play the F while setting up a high-scoring second word.
Popular crossword answers
Words frequently used in crossword puzzles with common clues.
More "FOR" Pages
Browse words by longer letter combinations starting with "FOR".