-ZIT Words: The Tiniest Corner of the Dictionary
Words ending in -ZIT might be the most niche group you'll find in a word game dictionary. There are exactly three: ZIT (a pimple, 3 letters), ZIZIT (fringes on a Jewish prayer shawl, 5 letters), and TZITZIT (the fuller spelling of the same garment fringes, 7 letters). ZIT entered English slang around the 1960s with no clear origin — linguists have guessed it might relate to German "Zitze" (a teat or pimple), but nobody knows for sure.
In Scrabble, ZIT is a compact 12-point play that uses the valuable Z tile efficiently. ZIZIT scores 21 points, and TZITZIT — if you can pull it off — is worth 25 base points with two Z tiles. The catch is that competitive players rarely hold two Z's (there's only one Z in a standard Scrabble set for English), so TZITZIT typically only appears in word lists, not actual games. For crossword constructors, ZIT is a handy three-letter fill when Z needs to cross with I and T.
If you're fascinated by rare Z words, explore words starting with Z and words starting with ZU for more options. Players hunting for obscure but valid plays should also check words ending in FE and words ending in Q.
FAQ
Is ZIZIT valid in Scrabble?
Yes, ZIZIT is accepted in SOWPODS (the international Scrabble dictionary). It's less commonly listed in the North American TWL, so check which dictionary your game uses. For more Z-based plays, see words starting with Z.
What does TZITZIT mean?
TZITZIT (also spelled TSITSITH or ZIZIT) refers to the knotted fringes on the corners of a Jewish tallit (prayer shawl), commanded in the Book of Numbers. It's one of the longest words in Scrabble containing two Z's. For other religious or borrowed terms, browse words starting with PH.