Words Ending With -ITY
Word of the Day · Scrabble Words Finder
Published June 15, 2026 · 5 min read
The -ITY suffix transforms adjectives into abstract nouns — complex becomes complexity, public becomes publicity. With Y worth 4 points, -ITY delivers 6 base points in just 3 tiles. Most -ITY words are 7-10 letters long, making them natural bingo candidates that score heavily even before premium square bonuses.
The combination of high base value, natural bingo length, and pairing with power tiles like X and J makes -ITY one of Scrabble's most rewarding suffixes.
Why -ITY Matters in Scrabble
6 pts
I(1)+T(1)+Y(4) base
400+
Valid -ITY words
4–12
Letter length range
The Y tile's 4-point value makes -ITY one of the highest-scoring short suffixes in Scrabble. Only 2 Y tiles exist in the bag, so when you draw one, having I and T ready for an -ITY play is strong strategy. Words like COMPLEXITY (26 pts) and PROXIMITY (23 pts) combine X(8) with -ITY for devastating scores.
Even simple roots transform into powerful plays: MAJOR becomes MAJORITY (19), SCARCE becomes SCARCITY (15), GRAVE becomes GRAVITY (14).
Top Scoring -ITY Words
| Word | Points | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMPLEXITY | 26 | 10 | X(8)+M(3)+P(3)+C(3) |
| PROXIMITY | 23 | 9 | X(8)+P(3)+M(3) |
| PUBLICITY | 18 | 9 | P(3)+B(3)+C(3) |
| SCARCITY | 15 | 8 | C(3)+C(3) + bingo |
| CAPACITY | 17 | 8 | C(3)+P(3)+C(3) |
| VELOCITY | 16 | 8 | V(4)+C(3) + bingo |
| MAJORITY | 19 | 8 | J(8)+M(3) + bingo |
| GRAVITY | 14 | 7 | V(4)+G(2) + bingo |
-ITY Word Categories
Abstract Quality
GRAVITY, DIGNITY, CLARITY, PURITY, VANITY, SANITY
State/Condition
SCARCITY, CAPACITY, MAJORITY, VELOCITY, INFINITY
Human Traits
CURIOSITY, GENEROSITY, CREATIVITY, DIVERSITY, SENSITIVITY
Technical/Scientific
COMPLEXITY, PROXIMITY, ELECTRICITY, INTENSITY, DENSITY
Short -ITY Words for Tight Boards
Strategy Tips
Y on premium squares: Y is worth 4 points. Since -ITY ends with Y, plan your word placement so Y lands on a Double (8 pts) or Triple Letter Square (12 pts). This alone can add 4-8 extra points.
Pair with X and J: The highest -ITY words contain X(8) or J(8): COMPLEXITY (26), PROXIMITY (23), MAJORITY (19). If you draw X or J with Y, look for -ITY bingo opportunities first.
Short words pack punch: CITY and PITY score 9 points in just 4 tiles (2.25 pts/tile). These outperform many 5-6 letter words on a per-tile basis and fit anywhere on the board.
📚 Dig Deeper
Sharpen Your Skills
Use the solver daily: Enter your rack tiles into our free word finder to discover every valid combination. Repeated exposure to word patterns builds recognition speed that transfers directly to competitive play.
Study in clusters: Group words by shared patterns rather than memorising randomly. Pattern-based learning is three times more effective for long-term retention than isolated word lists.
Active recall over passive reading: After reviewing this page, close it and try to write down as many words as you can remember. Testing yourself strengthens neural pathways far more than re-reading.
📚 Keep Learning
Hook Plays & Extensions
Words ending in WITH-ITY create powerful hook opportunities. A hook is when you add letters to an existing word on the board to form a new valid word. If an opponent plays a word, and you can extend it by adding WITH-ITY at the end (or build a parallel word ending in WITH-ITY), you score points for both the new letters and the entire modified word.
🪝 Hooking Strategy
Keep an eye on words already on the board that can be extended with an WITH-ITY ending. This lets you build off your opponent's plays for big combination scores, especially near premium squares.
Defensively, knowing which words end in WITH-ITY helps you avoid leaving hook opportunities for your opponent. Before placing a word, ask yourself: can my opponent add letters to what I just played? If so, consider a different placement that leaves fewer extension points exposed, particularly near triple-word squares.
The WITH-ITY ending pattern also helps with rack management. When you recognise that your remaining tiles could form a word ending in WITH-ITY, you can plan one or two turns ahead — playing supporting tiles first to set up a higher-scoring WITH-ITY word on your next turn. This forward-thinking approach is a hallmark of competitive-level Scrabble.
🔍 Enter your tiles and find every -ITY word instantly
Open Word Finder →Building Your Word Arsenal
🏆 What Champions Do Differently
Every top Scrabble player maintains a structured study routine. They focus on high-frequency, high-value words first, then expand to rarer gems.
Prioritise power letters: Words containing J, Q, X, Z score disproportionately. Learning these first gives the highest points-per-word-learned ratio.
Start with recognition: Identify which words you already know. Focus study time on unfamiliar ones — particularly those with high point values or unusual letter combinations.
Use spaced repetition: Review new words at increasing intervals: 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks. This locks words into long-term memory efficiently.
Applying These Words in Real Games
🏗️ Building Neural Pathways
Each time you mentally play a word on a board, you strengthen the neural pathway that recognises that opportunity during a real game.
🧩 Active Visualisation Method
What letters would it need to hook onto? Which existing words enable it?
If you drew those tiles right now, would you recognise the word opportunity immediately?
If the answer is no, that word needs more active study time before moving on
Ask yourself: which premium squares could it reach from likely board positions?
📚 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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