Words Ending in AE: Latin Plurals Still Alive in Word Games
If you see a word ending in -AE, you're almost certainly looking at a Latin plural. ALGAE is the plural of ALGA, LARVAE of LARVA, ANTENNAE of ANTENNA, ALUMNAE of ALUMNA. English adopted these Latin feminine plural forms wholesale, and they've persisted in scientific and formal writing while the Anglicized -AS plurals (antennas, formulas) took over in casual speech. For word game players, this means a second valid plural for many words — and that doubles your options.
Here's a tactical insight: in Scrabble, playing the -AE plural instead of the -AS form can be strategically superior when the board has an E in a better position than an S. LARVAE uses an E (1 point) instead of the S (1 point), so the tile cost is identical, but the board placement might differ significantly. Crossword constructors also love -AE endings because the AE combination creates unusual letter pairings that make grid construction more flexible.
The two-letter word AE is valid in SOWPODS (the international dictionary) — it's a Scottish word meaning "one." That makes it useful for parallel plays in international Scrabble. For other Latin-influenced endings, check out words ending in OR and words ending in T. Players interested in scientific vocabulary should browse words starting with P and words starting with RE.
FAQ
When should you use -AE versus -AS plurals?
In formal and scientific writing, -AE is traditional for Latin feminine nouns (larvae, algae, formulae). In everyday English, -AS is more common (larvas, antennas, formulas). Both forms are valid in Scrabble — use whichever fits the board better. See words ending in LY for another suffix with dual-form flexibility.
Is AE a valid two-letter Scrabble word?
AE is valid in SOWPODS (international dictionary) but not in TWL (North American tournament list). It means "one" in Scots. If you're playing international rules, it's a useful parallel play. For other short words, explore words ending in IF and words ending in Q.
What are the most common -AE words in crosswords?
ALGAE, LARVAE, ANTENNAE, and ALUMNAE appear most frequently. AMOEBAE and MINUTIAE are also common in harder puzzles. Constructors use them because the unusual AE ending creates interesting crossing patterns. Check words starting with F for common crossing letters.