HEX and NARTHEX: The Complete -HEX Word List
Words ending in -HEX is about as exclusive as word groups get. There are exactly two: HEX and NARTHEX. That's it — no others. HEX is the familiar one, meaning to curse or a six-sided shape (from the Greek "hex" meaning six). NARTHEX is the entry vestibule of a church, the enclosed porch area where you stand before walking into the nave. It comes from the Greek word for a tall plant whose hollow stems were used as containers.
In Scrabble, HEX scores a solid 13 points for just three letters — that's an excellent per-tile average. NARTHEX is worth 17 points and uses all common tiles except the X. Both words are crossword staples. HEX shows up constantly as fill for clues like "jinx," "curse," or "six prefix." NARTHEX appears in harder puzzles with clues about church architecture. The useful thing about knowing the complete -HEX list is certainty: if a crossword ends in HEX and has more than seven letters, something is wrong with your other answers. For related X-ending patterns, check words ending in OX and words ending in C for other consonant-heavy endings. Players who enjoy rare patterns might also want to explore words starting with PH for more Greek-origin vocabulary.
FAQ
Is NARTHEX really a valid Scrabble word?
Yes, NARTHEX is valid in both major Scrabble dictionaries (TWL and SOWPODS). It refers to the entrance hall of a church. At 17 points base, it's a solid play — and the N, A, R, T, H are all common tiles, so you're mainly waiting for the X. See words starting with N for more N-words that pair well on the board.
What other short words use X efficiently in Scrabble?
Besides HEX (13 points), strong three-letter X plays include AXE, BOX, FOX, WAX, and ZAX. The X tile is worth 8 points, so any short word containing it delivers outsized value. For more X words, explore words ending in OX and words starting with F for other tile-efficient plays.