REX: Four Words, One Royal Pedigree
REX is Latin for king, and it carries that weight even in English word games. The complete set is tiny — REX, REXES, REXINE, REXINES — but every one of them is worth knowing. REXINE is a type of artificial leather used in bookbinding, a word most people encounter only on a Scrabble board or in a crossword grid. In Scrabble, REX scores 10 points base, which is strong for just three tiles. The X alone accounts for 8 of those points, making it one of the better short plays when you're stuck with that tile.
Here's something crossword solvers should note: REX appears often in puzzle clues as a proper noun (Rex Harrison, T. Rex) but its common-noun usage — meaning a king or a male cat — is what makes it valid in word games. If your crossword has an R-E-? pattern in three letters, REX should be your first guess. For more high-value short plays built around X, check words ending in EX or words ending in XI. Players hunting for unusual starting patterns might also look at words starting with ZE for a similar flavor of uncommon openers.
FAQ
Is REXINE a valid Scrabble word?
Yes. REXINE is accepted in both TWL and SOWPODS dictionaries. It refers to an imitation leather material. Its plural REXINES is also valid, giving you a 7-letter option worth 14 base points. For other short words built around the X tile, browse words ending in EX.
What crossword clues typically lead to REX?
Common clues include "male cat," "Latin king," or "Harrison of Hollywood." It's a crossword staple because of its convenient three-letter length and the distinctive X. If you're working a puzzle with X-heavy answers, also check words ending in OX for similar patterns.