Slang Words Allowed in Scrabble — Valid Informal Plays
Think Scrabble only accepts formal, "proper" English? Think again. The official Scrabble dictionary is packed with slang, informal words, and colloquialisms that most players don't realize are valid. From ZA (pizza) to TWERK to EMOJI, casual language has been steadily entering the game for decades. Knowing which slang words are legal gives you access to unusual letter combinations and high-value plays your opponents won't expect.
ZA
11 pts (pizza)
GI
3 pts (martial arts suit)
EMOJI
14 pts
VLOG
8 pts
How Slang Enters the Official Dictionary
Slang doesn't become a valid Scrabble word overnight. There's a rigorous process that separates fleeting internet slang from established informal vocabulary. Dictionary editors at Merriam-Webster and Collins track usage across published sources. When a slang term appears consistently in newspapers, magazines, books, and other edited publications over multiple years, it demonstrates staying power and earns a dictionary entry.
✓ Now Valid in Scrabble
EMOJI — pictorial symbol (added 2014+)
SELFIE — self-portrait photo
BLOG — web journal
VLOG — video blog
TWERK — a dance move
FACEPALM — expression of dismay
✗ NOT Valid (Yet)
LOL — abbreviation, not a word
BRB — abbreviation
YEET — too new, insufficient citations
STAN — not yet in Scrabble dictionaries
SLAY — (in modern slang sense, the base word IS valid)
RIZZ — too recent for dictionary inclusion
💡 The Difference
Abbreviations (LOL, BRB, OMG) are almost never valid because they're not words — they're letter sequences representing phrases. But informal words (BLOG, SELFIE, EMOJI) that function as nouns or verbs in sentences can earn dictionary entries once established.
Best Scoring Slang Words
Some slang words are strategically excellent because they combine high-value letters with short, playable lengths. ZA remains the crown jewel of slang Scrabble words — a 2-letter word containing a 10-point tile. But there are many other informal words worth memorizing for their point potential.
| Word | Points | Meaning | Dictionary |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZA | 11 | Informal for pizza | TWL + SOWPODS |
| EMOJI | 14 | Pictorial digital symbol | TWL + SOWPODS |
| TWERK | 12 | A style of dance | SOWPODS |
| VLOG | 8 | Video blog | TWL + SOWPODS |
| BLOG | 7 | Web journal/diary | TWL + SOWPODS |
| SELFIE | 9 | Self-portrait photo | TWL + SOWPODS |
| GI | 3 | Martial arts uniform | TWL + SOWPODS |
| HANGRY | 13 | Angry due to hunger | SOWPODS |
Categories of Accepted Slang
Slang words that make it into the Scrabble dictionary tend to fall into recognizable categories. Understanding these categories helps you predict which informal words might be valid — even if you haven't specifically studied them.
🍕 Food Slang
ZA (pizza), NOSH (snack), GRUB (food), NAAN (flatbread), CHOW (eat). Food-related informal words enter English easily through restaurant culture.
💻 Tech Slang
BLOG, VLOG, EMOJI, SELFIE, WIKI, APP. Technology creates new nouns rapidly, and the most durable ones enter dictionaries within 5-10 years.
💃 Culture Slang
TWERK, BLING, DISS, DOPE (adjective), FAD. Pop culture generates vocabulary that sticks around long enough to earn dictionary status.
🏃 Activity Slang
PARKOUR, KICKBOX, SKATEBOARD (as verb), BINGE. Activity-related slang that becomes standard terminology for established practices.
The "Too New" vs "Established" Line
The most common frustration for modern Scrabble players is discovering that a word they use daily isn't yet in the dictionary. The gap between spoken English and official Scrabble English can be 5-15 years. Dictionary committees deliberately lag behind popular usage to avoid adding flash-in-the-pan terms that disappear within a year.
🧩 From Slang to Scrabble-Valid
A slang word emerges in spoken English (social media, music, youth culture, etc.)
It begins appearing in edited publications — journalists and authors use it without quotation marks or italics
Dictionary editors collect citations over 3-7 years, tracking frequency and breadth of usage
The word is added to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate or Collins English Dictionary with a definition
The next Official Scrabble Players Dictionary update (every ~5 years) includes the new entry — it's now a valid play
📅 Timeline Example
SELFIE was popularized around 2012-2013. It entered Merriam-Webster in 2014 after being named Oxford's "Word of the Year" in 2013. It became valid in competitive Scrabble shortly after. Total journey: approximately 2-3 years from mainstream adoption to Scrabble validity — fast for a new word.
ZA is your secret weapon: Most casual players don't know ZA is valid. At 11 points for two letters, it's one of the highest points-per-letter ratios in the game. Play it confidently — it's been in the dictionary since 2006.
Check verb forms of slang nouns: BLOG becomes BLOGGED, BLOGGING, BLOGS. SELFIE becomes SELFIES. EMOJI becomes EMOJIS. These extended forms are all valid and give you more flexibility on the board.
TWL vs SOWPODS matters for slang: Some slang words are valid in SOWPODS (international) but not TWL (North America) because Collins is more inclusive than Merriam-Webster. Check which dictionary your tournament uses.
Old slang is gold: Words like DISS (14 pts), GRUB (7 pts), NOSH (7 pts), GOOF (8 pts), and DORK (9 pts) have been valid for decades. Don't overlook established slang that's been in dictionaries since the 1990s.
Watch for new dictionary editions: Merriam-Webster adds words annually, and the OSPD/TWL updates every 5 years. Each new edition brings a wave of recently-validated slang. Stay current with additions to maintain your competitive edge.
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