Advanced Word Finder by Pattern
How to Use the Pattern Finder:x Instructions and Examples
Search for words by pattern
Master searching for words for crosswords and games like Scrabble or Words With Friends.
| Pattern (Enter in search) | Pattern Meaning (How the search works) | Example Found Words |
|---|---|---|
| ??? | Finds any 3-letter word. | CAT, DOG, SUN |
| ????? | Locates any 5-letter word. | HOUSE, STONE, RIVER |
| A?? | Finds 3-letter words starting with "A". | ACE, ART, ADD |
| ??K | Identifies 3-letter words ending in "K". | INK, OAK, ASK |
| S???E | Finds 5-letter words starting with "S" and ending in "E". | SCENE, SINCE, SPOKE |
| *K* | Searches for words containing the letter "K". | OKRA, MAKE, LOOK |
| Z* | Locates words starting with "Z". | ZERO, ZONE, ZEBRA |
| *Z | Finds words that end in "Z". | QUIZ, JAZZ, FUZZ |
| ?Z* | Identifies words where "Z" is the second letter. | AZURE, OZONE, AZALEA |
| ??N* | Searches for words with "N" as the third letter. | WINE, BAND, PONY |
| A*T*OM | Finds words starting with "A", containing "T", and ending in "OM". | ATOM, ANATOM |
| ?U*A | Locates words where the second letter is "U" and the last is "A". | TUNA, LUNA, AURORA |
| !ba[g-n] | Performs an advanced REGEX search, matching a custom pattern. | BAG, BAN, BAM |
Legend and advanced operators: Use ? for a single letter, * for
any sequence of letters (zero or more). Start with ! to use the full Regular Expression
(REGEX) mode.
Looking for a simpler tool?
Use the main Words from Letters finder »
Advanced Search - Questions and Answers (FAQ)
How do I find a crossword word knowing only some of the letters?
Use a question mark '?' in place of each unknown letter. If you're looking for a 5-letter word that starts with 'S' and ends with 'E', enter the pattern 'S???E'. The tool will find all matching words from the selected dictionary (e.g., 'STYLE' or 'SPACE').
What's the difference between a question mark '?' and an asterisk '*'?
A question mark '?' replaces exactly one unknown letter. An asterisk '*' is a wildcard that replaces any sequence of letters (including an empty one). Use '?' when you know the exact length of the word, and '*' when the length doesn't matter.
How do I find all words starting or ending with a specific letter?
This is a perfect job for the asterisk operator '*'. To find words starting with 'Z', type 'Z*'. To find those ending with 'Z', type '*Z'. To find words containing 'Z' anywhere, use the pattern '*Z*'.
Can I combine patterns, e.g., knowing the second and last letter?
Yes. The system allows you to create complex queries. For example, the pattern '?U*A' will find all words where the second letter is 'U' and the last letter is 'A', regardless of their length. Example results include 'RUMBA', 'LUNA', or 'AURORA'.
What is the Regular Expression (REGEX) mode, activated by the '!' sign, used for?
This option is for advanced users who want to define very precise rules. For example, the pattern '!ba[g-n]' will find words starting with 'ba' followed by a letter from 'g' to 'n'. It's a powerful tool for solving complex word puzzles.
PRO TIP: How to use the pattern finder to dominate in Scrabble or Words With Friends?
When there's limited space on the board leading to a bonus square (like 'Triple Word Score'), use the search to find a short, high-scoring word. For example, type '??Z' or '??Q' to find all 3-letter words ending in 'Z' or 'Q'. Such a move can earn more points than a longer word without a bonus and block your opponent from using a valuable position.