Words Ending in ING — Master the Most Versatile Suffix in Scrabble
The -ING suffix is the workhorse of competitive Scrabble. It transforms any verb into a present participle, extends existing words on the board, and forms the backbone of countless bingo plays. With I, N, and G being three of the most common tiles in the bag, learning to weaponize this ending is essential for every serious player.
High-Scoring Words Ending in ING
These -ING words pack serious points thanks to high-value consonants paired with the suffix. Several are playable in tight board positions while still delivering premium scores.
| # | Word | Points | Length | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | QUIZZING | 36 | 8 | Questioning someone |
| 2 | JAZZING | 33 | 7 | Making lively or exciting |
| 3 | FIZZING | 29 | 7 | Making a hissing sound |
| 4 | BUZZING | 28 | 7 | Making a humming sound |
| 5 | KAYAKING | 20 | 8 | Paddling a kayak |
| 6 | JOKING | 18 | 6 | Making jokes |
| 7 | HAWKING | 18 | 7 | Selling goods; falconry |
| 8 | FOXING | 17 | 6 | Browning of paper |
| 9 | HEXING | 17 | 6 | Casting a spell on |
| 10 | WAXING | 17 | 6 | Applying wax; growing |
| 11 | VEXING | 17 | 6 | Causing annoyance |
| 12 | BOXING | 16 | 6 | The sport of fighting |
| 13 | YANKING | 15 | 7 | Pulling sharply |
4 pts
Base ING value
3,000+
Valid -ING words
50 pts
Bingo bonus potential
Why ING Is Strategically Dominant
The -ING suffix holds a unique position in Scrabble strategy because it combines three separate tactical advantages into one holding pattern.
💡 The ING Advantage
Holding I, N, G on your rack gives you access to the largest family of bingo stems in English. Any 4-letter verb root + ING = a valid 7-letter word (50-point bonus). PLAY+ING, DRAW+ING, JUMP+ING — the combinations are nearly limitless.
Common Short ING Words for Tight Boards
When the board is congested and long words won't fit, these 5-6 letter -ING words slot into tight spaces while still delivering solid points.
ING as a Hook and Word Extension
One of the most powerful uses of -ING is extending words already on the board. If your opponent plays PLAY, you can extend it to PLAYING for a much higher score — especially if the extension reaches a premium square.
Extend existing plays: Look for verbs on the board that accept -ING. JUMP → JUMPING, DRAW → DRAWING, FISH → FISHING. You score the full extended word plus any crosswords formed.
Target premium squares: If a verb ends 3 squares before a Triple Word Score, adding ING places the G on the premium square. Plan your extensions to hit multipliers.
Block opponent extensions: If you see a verb positioned near premiums, play your own ING extension first — or block the lane entirely. Don't gift free extensions.
Stack parallel ING words: Playing an -ING word parallel to an existing word can create multiple 2-letter crosswords simultaneously, racking up points from each intersection.
ING Bingo Strategy — The 50-Point Play
The -ING suffix is your clearest path to bingo plays. When you hold I, N, G alongside balanced consonants and vowels, you should actively hunt for 7-letter plays before settling for shorter words.
~18%
Bingos contain ING
2 turns
Max holding time
4 tiles
Needed alongside ING
The best companion tiles for ING bingos are common letters like E, R, S, T, A, and L. Combinations like ING + REST, ING + TALE, or ING + STAR produce dozens of valid 7-letter words each.
Premium Square Interactions
Placing -ING words strategically on the board can multiply your score dramatically. The 3-tile suffix gives you predictable landing positions relative to premium squares.
✓ G on Triple Letter
G is worth 2 pts — tripled to 6. Position 6-letter ING words so the G lands on TLS for easy bonus points on every play.
✓ Reach TWS with Extensions
A 7-letter ING bingo that spans a Triple Word Score triples your entire word value — often pushing scores past 100 points in a single turn.
Summary
🎯 Summary
The -ING suffix is your most reliable path to high scores and bingos. With 3,000+ valid words, bingo-friendly stems, and extension potential, mastering ING words transforms your game. Hold I, N, G when your rack supports a bingo attempt, use short ING words on tight boards, and always scan for verb extensions reaching premium squares.
🔍 Find -ING words from your rack tiles — instant results, no signup
Open Word Finder →Building Your Word Arsenal
The difference between a 300-point game and a 400-point game often comes down to vocabulary depth. Players who invest time studying valid Scrabble words consistently outscore those who rely solely on common everyday vocabulary. The words on this page represent a focused subset of the Scrabble dictionary that you can realistically memorise and deploy in competitive play.
Start by identifying which words on this page you already know. Then focus your study time on the unfamiliar ones — particularly those with high point values or unusual letter combinations. The goal is not to memorise the entire dictionary but to build a working vocabulary of 5,000-10,000 words that covers the most common game situations.
Consider keeping a word journal where you record new discoveries from each study session. Writing words down activates different memory pathways than simply reading them. Many tournament players carry small notebooks and review their most recent additions during breaks between rounds.
📚 Sources & References
- • SOWPODS International Dictionary (267,751 words), Collins + TWL combined
- • Tournament Word List (TWL06), NASPA Word List Committee
- • Collins Scrabble Words (CSW), HarperCollins Publishers
- • Tile distribution & values per Hasbro official Scrabble rules
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