WE Words: Small List, Big Crossword Value
Only about a dozen English words end in WE, and most of them are short — AWE, EWE, OWE, WE itself. That scarcity is actually an advantage for puzzle solvers. When you've narrowed a crossword answer down to a WE ending, your options are limited enough to guess intelligently. AWE ("fill with wonder") and OWE ("be indebted to") are the two you'll encounter most. EWE, the female sheep, comes up whenever constructors need a three-letter animal word with common letters.
The real curiosity in this group is KREWE — the spelling used for Mardi Gras parade organizations in New Orleans. It was coined in 1857 by the Mistick Krewe of Comus, deliberately using an archaic English spelling to sound more mysterious. If you ever see a crossword clue mentioning New Orleans, carnival, or parade groups, KREWE is your answer. Another unusual entry: LECHWE, a southern African antelope that wades through floodplains. It's a tournament Scrabble word that scores 14 points and baffles casual players.
Game tip: words ending in WE are almost never longer than seven letters, so if your blank has more squares than that, reconsider the ending. Try words ending in ER or words ending in OR for longer answers. For more short, punchy word lists, look at words ending in H and words starting with W.
FAQ
Is KREWE accepted in Scrabble?
Yes, KREWE is valid in the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary and TWL. It's worth 12 points base and makes for a great play when you're stuck with a K and W. For other uncommon but valid words, see words starting with W.
What three-letter words end in WE?
AWE, EWE, OWE, and WE are the standard ones. AWE and OWE are crossword regulars, and EWE appears anytime a puzzle needs a short animal word. For more three-letter endings to memorize, check words ending in H and words ending in T.