Words Ending in Q — The Rarest Ending in English
Only three words in the standard English dictionary end with the letter Q: SUQ, TRANQ, and UMIAQ. That makes Q the single rarest word-ending letter, and the reason is linguistic — English spelling descends from Latin and French conventions where Q always precedes a vowel through its partner U. Words that break this pattern are borrowed whole from other languages. SUQ is Arabic for an open-air marketplace (the kind you'd find in Marrakech or Cairo). TRANQ is clipped English slang for tranquilizer. UMIAQ is an Inuit word for a large open skin boat used for transporting families across Arctic waters.
If you play Scrabble or Words With Friends, commit all three to memory right now — it takes seconds and pays off for years. The Q tile is worth 10 points and drawing it without a U nearby can wreck your game unless you know your exits. SUQ is the easiest to play: three common tiles, fits almost anywhere. UMIAQ is harder to set up but scores beautifully when it lands. In crossword puzzles, Q-ending entries are nearly nonexistent in grids, so you'll encounter these more in word game tile play than in solving. One key tip: don't play SUQ the moment you draw Q. Wait a turn or two for a premium square — that patience can double or triple your score on a single word.
For the complete picture of how Q behaves in word games, pair this with words starting with Q and the ultra-specific words ending in QI page. Other tiny but powerful ending groups include words ending in J (just seven words) and words ending in Z for more high-value tile strategies.
FAQ
Is SUQ valid in both Scrabble and Words With Friends?
Yes. SUQ is accepted in the TWL (North American tournament dictionary), SOWPODS (international dictionary), and Words With Friends. It's the most practical Q-without-U option for end-of-word placement. You'll also find other Q-without-U words on our words starting with Q page, like QAT and QADI.
What does UMIAQ mean and can I play it in word games?
UMIAQ is a large open boat used by the Inuit and Yupik peoples, traditionally made from animal skins stretched over a wooden or bone frame. It's valid in Scrabble dictionaries and worth knowing as a five-letter Q-without-U word. For the even shorter Q play, check out words ending in QI — QI itself is only two letters and scores 11 points.
Why do so few English words end in Q?
English inherited its spelling rules from Latin and French, where Q always pairs with U and sits before a vowel — never at the end of a word. The three Q-enders (SUQ, TRANQ, UMIAQ) are direct loanwords from Arabic and Inuit, languages where Q represents a different sound. Compare this to words ending in Z, which has 92 entries thanks to a wider variety of source languages.