Words Containing HO — Scrabble Word List & Strategy
HO is one of the most common letter pairs in English, appearing in over 1,500 Scrabble words. It starts HOT, HOP, HOME, HOPE, HONEY, HONOR and appears mid-word in SHOP, SHOW, THOSE, ANCHOR, SCHOOL, and AUTHOR. FOXHOUND (22 pts) combines HO with premium consonants for a high score. HORSEBACK (20 pts) and PHOSPHOR (18 pts) deliver strong returns from common tiles.
Top HO Words by Score
| # | Word | Points | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FOXHOUND | 22 | A hunting dog breed |
| 2 | HORSEBACK | 20 | On a horse's back |
| 3 | PHOSPHOR | 18 | A luminescent substance |
| 4 | ORTHODOX | 18 | Conforming to tradition |
| 5 | HOOKWORM | 20 | A parasitic worm |
| 6 | HOBNOB | 13 | To socialize casually |
| 7 | SCHOOL | 11 | A place of learning |
| 8 | ANCHOR | 11 | A device to moor boats |
| 9 | AUTHOR | 9 | A writer of books |
| 10 | THOSE | 8 | Plural demonstrative |
| 11 | SHOP | 9 | A retail store |
1,500+
Valid HO words
12 pts
Average score
Very Common
Pair rarity
Strategy Tips for HO Words
HO is incredibly versatile because it opens words at the start and middle. HOT, HOP, HOG, and HOB are short plays that efficiently use the 4-point H tile. Mid-word HO in SHOP, SHOW, and THOSE creates parallel play opportunities. SCHOOL (11 pts) and ANCHOR (11 pts) are reliable mid-range plays that use common tiles.
🎯 Key Takeaway
HO provides 1,500+ words — one of the most productive pairs in Scrabble. FOXHOUND (22 pts) and HORSEBACK (20 pts) are premium targets. Short plays like HOB (8 pts) and HOG (7 pts) clear the H tile near premium squares, while mid-word HO in SHOP and SHOW creates versatile parallel opportunities.
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