TH Words: From BATH to AZIMUTH
The TH ending is woven into English at every level. Short, ancient words — BATH, BOTH, MATH, MOTH, PATH, WITH — sit alongside scientific terms like AZIMUTH (a horizontal angle in navigation), MONOLITH, and SABBATH. What makes this group interesting for word game players is the TH digraph itself. In English, TH represents two distinct sounds: the voiced TH in SMOOTH and BATHE, and the voiceless TH in MATH and TOOTH. Crossword clues rarely distinguish between the two, but Scrabble players should know that the two-sound distinction means TH words come from different language families — Germanic words tend toward the voiced sound, while Greek borrowings use the voiceless one.
There are 387 words ending in TH, with a strong concentration in the 5-letter and 8-to-9 letter ranges. BIRTH, CLOTH, EARTH, FAITH, FORTH, MONTH, MOUTH, NORTH, SOUTH, TOOTH, TRUTH, WORTH, YOUTH — the five-letter group reads like a vocabulary primer. The longer words get more specialized: AFTERMATH (9 letters), LABYRINTH (9 letters), BANDWIDTH (9 letters). For crossword solvers, a five-letter blank ending in TH has a strong chance of being one of those common words, so start there before considering obscure options.
Scrabble tip: GROWTH (10 points) and STEALTH (10 points) are solid plays, but the real value of TH is as a hook. Adding TH to existing words (SOOT → SOOTH, GROW → GROWTH) extends plays for extra points. Explore words starting with Z for ZENITH and related vocabulary, words starting with W for WITH/WORTH/WARMTH, and words ending in Y for the adjective forms (HEALTHY, WEALTHY, WORTHY).
FAQ
What TH words are most common in crossword puzzles?
EARTH, FAITH, MONTH, SOUTH, TRUTH, and YOUTH dominate because they're short, common, and have dozens of possible clue angles. AZIMUTH and MAMMOTH appear in harder puzzles. For related five-letter patterns, see words ending in V and words starting with J.
What's the difference between voiced and voiceless TH?
Voiced TH (as in THIS, SMOOTH, BATHE) vibrates your vocal cords. Voiceless TH (as in THINK, MATH, BATH) doesn't. Most TH-ending words use the voiceless sound, with SMOOTH and its relatives being notable exceptions. For more on English pronunciation patterns, explore words starting with R and words starting with W.
Is AZIMUTH a valid Scrabble word?
Yes, AZIMUTH is valid and scores 21 points base — impressive for 7 tiles. The Z (10 points) makes it especially valuable on premium squares. It means a horizontal angular measurement used in navigation and astronomy. For more Z-powered words, check words starting with Z and words starting with ZE.