From ARCH to ZILCH: The Big World of -CH Words
Words ending in -CH form one of the most recognizable sound patterns in English. The "tch" sound after a short vowel (BATCH, CATCH, DITCH, HUTCH) versus the hard "k" sound (MONARCH, STOMACH, EPOCH) versus the "sh" sound in words borrowed from French (QUICHE, GAUCHE) — same two letters, three completely different pronunciations. English at its finest. The -CH ending is also a crossword constructor's friend because it pairs well with common letter patterns and creates plenty of crossing opportunities.
At least 99 five-letter words end in -CH, making this a strong pattern for Wordle players to keep in mind. BATCH, BEACH, BENCH, BIRCH, CATCH, COUCH, DITCH — the options are plentiful. In Scrabble, ZILCH (19 points) and KVETCH (20 points) are among the top scorers in this group. For crosswords, ARCH is everywhere — it can mean a curved structure, a prefix meaning "chief," or an adjective meaning playfully mischievous. That triple meaning makes it ideal fill. Watch for less common entries like SASQUATCH or BUTTERSCOTCH in themed puzzles. Solvers who work words starting with B regularly will recognize BATCH, BEACH, BENCH, BIRCH, and BROOCH. If you enjoy consonant-heavy endings, words starting with R delivers REACH, RICH, and RANCH. Also worth noting: words starting with A covers ARCH, ATTACH, and AVOUCH.
FAQ
When do you double the T before -CH in spelling?
After a short vowel in a single syllable, you typically use -TCH: BATCH, CATCH, DITCH, WATCH. The main exceptions are MUCH, SUCH, RICH, and WHICH — all very old English words that predate the rule. Words from other languages also skip the T: ATTACH (French), SASQUATCH (Salish). For more spelling patterns, explore words starting with C.
What are good -CH words for Wordle?
Start with BEACH, BENCH, or CATCH to test common consonants. MULCH and GULCH cover unusual letters. WATCH is strong because W, A, T, C, H are all fairly common. Remember that Wordle uses five-letter words only, so LUNCH, MARCH, PATCH, and POUCH are all in play. For five-letter starting strategies, check words starting with UN.
Why is -CH pronounced differently in MONARCH versus MATCH?
MATCH uses the native English "tch" sound, while MONARCH preserves the Greek "k" pronunciation (from Greek MONOS + ARKHEIN). French-origin words like GAUCHE use the "sh" sound. The spelling is identical but the pronunciation depends entirely on the word's language of origin. Browse words starting with Z for another letter with multiple sound values.