When playing Scrabble, one of the most common questions players ask is whether a specific word is valid according to the official game dictionary. This is especially important when a word seems unusual or poetic, like cower. It might be used often in literature or everyday speech, but does that guarantee it is playable in Scrabble? Knowing what’s accepted can make the difference between winning and losing, particularly in tight matches where every point matters. In this topic, we will explore the legitimacy of cower in Scrabble, its meaning, point value, and how best to use it in gameplay strategy.
Understanding the Word Cower
Definition and Usage
Cower is a verb that means to crouch down in fear or shrink away in submission. It often appears in emotional or dramatic contexts, such as someone cowering during a thunderstorm or a frightened animal retreating into a corner.
- Part of speech: Verb
- Definition: To crouch or cringe in fear
- Example sentence: The child cowered behind the sofa during the loud explosion.
It is a word rooted in English literature and commonly used in both formal and informal writing. The question is whether this familiarity translates to Scrabble legality.
Is Cower a Valid Scrabble Word?
Accepted by Official Dictionaries
Yes, cower is a valid word in Scrabble. It is included in the following official word lists:
- Scrabble US (NASPA) dictionary
- Scrabble UK (SOWPODS) list
This means it is accepted in both North American and international versions of the game. If you’re playing Scrabble with either a physical dictionary or an official word-checking app, you can safely use cower without fear of challenge.
Why It’s Valid
The word cower meets all Scrabble requirements:
- It contains only alphabetic characters
- It is found in recognized dictionaries
- It is not a proper noun, abbreviation, or foreign term
Because of these qualifications, cower is playable and worth considering in your next game.
Scrabble Points for Cower
Calculating the Score
Scrabble assigns a point value to each letter. Here’s the breakdown for cower:
- C= 3 points
- O= 1 point
- W= 4 points
- E= 1 point
- R= 1 point
Total score without bonuses: 10 points
This makes cower a solid mid-range word in Scrabble. If placed on double or triple word score tiles, it can yield even more value, especially with strategic placement.
Strategic Use of Cower in Scrabble
Board Positioning
Since cower is five letters long, it’s a good candidate for reaching across bonus squares. Consider playing it across a double or triple word tile, or using the high-value letter W on a double letter square to maximize points.
Hooking and Extensions
One way to enhance the usefulness of cower is through hooks adding a single letter to the front or back of a word to form a new one. For example:
- Scower a less common variant, but not always accepted in all dictionaries
- Cowers valid plural/third person singular form
- Cowered valid past tense form
- Cowering gerund/participle, good for longer plays if space allows
By using suffixes like -s, -ed, or -ing, you can build on existing words and score big.
Rack Management
Cower uses five common letters and can help clear out consonants like C and W. If your rack feels clunky or consonant-heavy, playing cower may improve your chances of drawing a better hand in the next turn.
Similar Words You Might Confuse with Cower
Common Misspellings or Lookalikes
- Coward: A noun referring to a fearful person not the same as the verb cower
- Lower: Can look similar, but has a different meaning
- Cover: Shares many letters but not the same definition
It’s important not to confuse similar-looking words. Make sure the word you are placing is spelled and defined correctly to avoid challenges and point deductions.
Online and App-Based Scrabble Validity
Digital Word Checkers
If you’re playing Scrabble via apps like Words With Friends, Wordfeud, or online Scrabble games, the word cower is generally accepted. Most of these platforms use either the TWL (Tournament Word List) or SOWPODS dictionary as a reference.
Still, it’s good practice to double-check within the app’s specific word list, as each game may have slightly different rules or accepted vocabularies.
Other Games That Accept Cower
Popular Word Games Beyond Scrabble
Cower is valid in a wide range of word games beyond Scrabble, including:
- Words With Friends
- Lexulous
- Wordscapes
- Wordament
Its legitimacy across multiple games makes it a versatile choice for players who enjoy more than just traditional Scrabble.
Cower is absolutely a valid Scrabble word and a strategically sound option for scoring moderate points, clearing your rack, or bridging to new areas of the board. Its five-letter length makes it ideal for extending plays and hitting premium score tiles. Whether you’re playing a casual game with friends or competing in a more serious setting, adding cower to your vocabulary arsenal gives you an edge.
Always remember to use tools like a Scrabble dictionary or built-in game validators to check your words when in doubt. In the case of cower, you can be confident in placing it on the board with both linguistic correctness and strategic satisfaction.