Scrabble Tips: What to Do with a Q

It never fails. Whenever I play Scrabble (or Scrabble® brand crossword game for trademark purists out there) I wind up with a Q but no U. Don't get me wrong. I like the Q. It's a ten-point letter. But what can I do with it? Even if I get the U to go with it, invariably my collection of other letters won't let me spell good old standbys like quit, quiet, queen, etc.... With this thought in mind, here are a few unusual words that will enable you to turn that Q into victory. All of the following words are approved by Selchow & Righter, original makers of Scrabble®.

What to do with a Q if you don't have a U
Try the following words on for size:

Qaid -- This is an alternate spelling of caid, which means a Muslim leader. The plural form is qaids.

Qindar - the is an alternate spelling of Qintar, the monetary unit of Albania. Both are acceptable. The plural forms are qindars and qintars.

Qoph - this is the alternate spelling of koph, a Hebrew letter. You make its plural by adding an S.

What to do with a Q when you do have a U
Sometimes you have the U, but you can't put it next to the Q for some reason. If that's the case try the word, QIVIUT, which of course is the term used to describe the wool of a musk-ox. The plural form is QIVIUTS.

The rest of these words assume that you have the Q and the U but are unusual words not used in everyday speech.

Qua is a great word for tight spaces. It's an adverb meaning in the capacity of.

Quadrat is a piece of metal used for filling spaces in printing. It's also a unit of ground measurement used for biological samplings.

Quadric is a type of geometric surface.

Quadriga is a chariot drawn by four horses. Its plural form betrays its Latin roots - Quadrgae.

Quagga is an extinct mammal, similar to a zebra.

Quahog is a type of edible clam.

Quai is an alternate spelling of quay, a warf.

Quamash is a type of herb.

Quant means to propel through water with a pole. Quanted, quanting and quants are its conjugated forms.

Quarte is a thrust in fencing.

Quass is an alternate to kvass, a Russian beer.

Quassia is a tropical tree, and quassin is the medicine made from the wood of this tree.

Quenelle is a type of dumpling.

Quercine is an adjective meaning pertaining to oaks.

Quern is a hand-turned grain mill.

Quiff is a a forelock.

Quillet means a trivial distinction.

Quinella is a type of bet in horse racing.

Quinic is an adjective that pertains to quinine.

Quipu is an ancient calculating device.

Quire means to arrange sheets of paper in 24-count sets. Quired, quiring and quires are its conjugated forms.

Quirt means to strike with a riding whip. It's conjugated forms are quirted, quirts and quirting.

Quitch is a type of grass.

Quod is a prison.

Quoin means to secure with a wedge. Quoined, quoining and quoins are its conjugated forms.

Quomodo is a means or manner of doing.

Qursh and qurush are monetary units in Saudi Arabia.

For more words, tips and strategy check out the Official Scrabble Website.

Source: Scrabble Player's Dictionary