Words Ending in GI: Plural Oddities and Borrowed Gems
Most -GI words in English are irregular plurals of Latin or Italian origin. MAGI is the plural of magus (a priest or sorcerer — the Three Magi of Christmas tradition). FUNGI is the plural of fungus. CHORAGI is the plural of choragus (an ancient Greek chorus sponsor). This pattern — Latin nouns forming plurals with -I instead of -S — gives the -GI ending a distinctly learned, almost scholarly feel. PIEROGI breaks the mold: it's a Polish dumpling word that ends in -I in its original language and has become a crossword staple because constructors love its vowel-heavy structure.
CORGI stands apart from the Latin plurals. It's Welsh — "cor" meaning dwarf and "gi" meaning dog — and refers to those short-legged herding dogs beloved by the British royal family. In Scrabble, CORGI scores 8 points and is probably the most commonly played -GI word because it's familiar and uses everyday tiles. FUNGI at 9 points and MAGI at 7 points are the other go-to plays. PIEROGI scores 10 points and can catch opponents off guard.
Crossword tip: when you see a clue referencing ancient wise men, mushrooms/toadstools, or Welsh dogs, -GI endings should spring to mind immediately. These words appear in puzzles far more often than their rarity suggests because constructors value their unusual letter patterns for tricky grid fills. For more uncommon endings, see words ending in Y for a comparison with the most common English word ending, or explore words ending in H. The words starting with G page covers G from the other direction.
FAQ
Is FUNGI or FUNGUSES the correct plural?
Both are accepted in standard dictionaries and in Scrabble. FUNGI follows the original Latin plural form, while FUNGUSES uses the English -ES plural. In crosswords, FUNGI is far more common because it's shorter and has more useful crossing letters. For other Latin plural patterns, check words ending in FE, which includes words with similarly tricky plural forms.
What does CHORAGI mean and is it playable?
CHORAGI is the plural of CHORAGUS, a wealthy citizen in ancient Athens who financed and directed a chorus for dramatic festivals. It's valid in SOWPODS and scores 11 points. The word rarely appears outside word games and classical scholarship. For more obscure but valid plays, browse words starting with E for Greek-origin vocabulary.
Is PIEROGI a valid Scrabble word?
Yes, PIEROGI is valid in both TWL and SOWPODS. It refers to Polish filled dumplings and scores 10 points base. The plural PIEROGIS is also valid. It's a popular crossword entry because its alternating vowels and consonants create excellent crossing options. See words ending in JO for other borrowed food-adjacent words with unusual endings.