QA Words: Q Without U, the Scrabble Cheat Code
Every Scrabble player dreads drawing the Q tile without a U to pair it with. QA words are your escape hatch. QANAT (an irrigation tunnel), QADI (an Islamic judge), QAID (a Muslim magistrate), and QAT (a plant chewed as a stimulant) are all valid plays that dump that 10-point Q tile without needing a U. QABALA and QABALAH give you longer options when the board has room. Memorize this short list and you'll never panic over a lonely Q again.
These words all come from Arabic, and they've been adopted into the English dictionary specifically because word game players needed them (well, lexicographers had their own reasons, but players benefited). In crosswords, QANAT appears occasionally in tricky grids, usually clued as "underground aqueduct" or "Persian irrigation channel." The QA- opening is so rare in English that seeing Q-A in a crossword grid almost guarantees one of these words. For more Q tricks, explore words starting with Q for the full range, or check words ending in QI and words starting with QI for another U-free lifeline.
FAQ
How many QA words are valid in Scrabble?
There are about a dozen QA words in the Scrabble dictionary, including QAT, QADI, QAID, QANAT, and QABALA plus their plural forms. QAT is the shortest at 3 letters and scores 12 points base. Check words starting with QI for even more Q-without-U options.
What does QANAT mean?
A qanat is a gently sloping underground channel used to transport water from an aquifer to the surface for irrigation. The system originated in ancient Persia. It's a favorite of crossword constructors because it uses common letters after the QA opening. For similar unusual vocabulary, see words starting with E where scientific terms cluster.
Is QAT a good opening move in Scrabble?
QAT scores 12 points as an opening play, which is decent but not spectacular. The real value is getting rid of Q early. If you can place it on a double-letter score under the Q, you're looking at 22 points. Save your better tiles for longer plays with words starting with Y or other flexible letters.