Words Ending in ZOO
ZOO endings are a tiny, quirky corner of English. Beyond ZOO itself, you've got KAZOO (the buzzing instrument), BAZOO (slang for mouth), WAZOO (slang for buttocks, as in "up the wazoo"), and GAZOO. That's basically the whole family. These words are informal, playful, and surprisingly useful in word games because of that Z tile sitting in the middle. KAZOO alone scores 18 points in Scrabble, and it uses common letters around that valuable Z.
For crossword solvers, KAZOO is the one you'll see most often, usually clued as "Humming instrument" or "Simple musical toy." ZOO itself is a gimme when clued as "Animal park" or "Wild place." The word ZOO is actually a shortening of "zoological garden," first recorded in 1847. WAZOO and BAZOO are too slangy for most crossword constructors, but they're fully legal in Scrabble. Tip: if you draw a Z and two O's, immediately think KAZOO or ZOO -- those double O's aren't dead weight, they're opportunity. For more Z plays, explore words starting with Q for the other premium tile, or browse words starting with J for mid-value scoring options.
FAQ
Is KAZOO the highest-scoring ZOO word in Scrabble?
Yes, KAZOO at 18 points base is the highest-scoring word ending in ZOO. The K (5 points) and Z (10 points) do the heavy lifting. Place that Z on a double-letter square and you're at 28 points. For other high-Z-value words, try words starting with QU to pair premium tiles.
Where does the word KAZOO come from?
KAZOO's origin is uncertain, but it first appeared in American English around 1884. Some linguists think it's imitative of the buzzing sound the instrument makes. The kazoo itself was invented in the 1840s in Macon, Georgia. For more words with unusual origins, see words starting with RE and words starting with I.