Scrabble Words Ending in -OUS: Adjective Strategy
The -OUS suffix is one of Scrabble's most productive adjective endings. These words tend to be 6-8 letters — perfect bingo length — and many contain high-value letters like J, X, and Z. Learn which -OUS words score biggest and how to build toward them from your rack.
JOYOUS (16) · ZEALOUS (16)
ANXIOUS (14) · JEALOUS (14) · NERVOUS (10)
Words with J, Z, or X before the -OUS suffix consistently score highest. As 7-letter words, JEALOUS and ZEALOUS also qualify for the 50-point bingo bonus.
High-Scoring -OUS Words
Strategy: Building Toward -OUS
Keep O+U+S together: When you hold these three letters, actively look for -OUS endings. The remaining 4 tiles just need to form a valid root.
Bingo potential: Most -OUS words are 7 letters — ideal bingo length. JEALOUS, ZEALOUS, NERVOUS, FURIOUS all earn the 50-point bonus on top of tile scores.
Pair with power letters: J, Z, X before -OUS create the highest-scoring words. If you hold J+O+U+S, you are close to JOYOUS (just need Y).
Common -OUS Words by Length
6 Letters
JOYOUS (16) · FAMOUS (11) · POROUS (8) · MUCOUS (10) · DEVOUT is not -OUS!
7 Letters (Bingo!)
ZEALOUS (16) · JEALOUS (14) · ANXIOUS (14) · NERVOUS (10) · FURIOUS (10) · CURIOUS (9) · SERIOUS (7)
💡 Insight
The -OUS ending works defensively too. Playing a 6-letter -OUS word leaves no easy hook for opponents — unlike -ED or -ING words which can be extended with prefixes.
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