Words Ending in ZIN
ZIN is a rare ending that hides some genuinely useful Scrabble words. MUEZZIN (the person who calls Muslims to prayer) is the showstopper -- at 7 letters with two Z's, it could score massive points on the right board. BENZIN (a petroleum solvent), SEIZIN (a legal term for possession of property), and HOATZIN (a bizarre prehistoric-looking bird from South America) round out the more interesting entries. DIAZIN and THIAZIN are chemistry terms for ring-shaped molecules.
Crossword solvers will encounter MUEZZIN most often, clued as "Prayer caller" or "Mosque official." HOATZIN appears in nature-themed puzzles, sometimes clued as "Crested bird" or "Stinkbird" (yes, it actually smells bad). The chemistry terms DIAZIN and THIAZIN mostly stay in specialist crosswords. For word game players, the ZIN ending is worth knowing because Z tiles are worth 10 points each, and finding legitimate Z placements is always a challenge. Explore words starting with E for words that might cross with ZIN plays on the board, or check words starting with K for KAZOO-adjacent Z strategies. Also see words ending in XI for another unusual ending that uses premium tiles.
FAQ
How many points is MUEZZIN worth in Scrabble?
MUEZZIN scores 27 points base, thanks to two Z tiles (10 points each). If you use all 7 tiles from your rack to spell it, add the 50-point bingo bonus for 77 points total. Landing either Z on a premium square makes it even bigger. For other high-Z plays, see words ending in J and words ending in M for cross-word scoring angles.
What is a HOATZIN?
The hoatzin is a tropical bird found in the Amazon basin, known for its mohawk-like crest and the fact that its chicks have claws on their wings -- a feature otherwise seen only in fossil birds. It's nicknamed the "stinkbird" because it smells like manure. In word games, HOATZIN scores 19 points. See words starting with XI for more zoological curiosities used in Scrabble.