Words Ending in EX: From APEX to VORTEX
EX endings have a distinctly Latin flavor. APEX, INDEX, LATEX, CORTEX, VERTEX, VORTEX — nearly every -EX word traces back to a Latin root, often one that entered English through science or law. The X gives each word an 8-point kicker in Scrabble, and the EX combination is easy to spot on a board because E tiles are everywhere. ANNEX is probably the most played -EX word in competitive games: it's short, common, and scores 12 base points.
Crossword constructors reach for -EX words when they need a high-consonant ending that's still recognizable. APEX ("peak"), HEX ("curse"), and FLEX ("bend") all appear regularly. Here's a detail most players miss: several -EX words have unusual plurals. INDEX becomes INDICES (though INDEXES works too), VERTEX becomes VERTICES, and APEX can be APICES. Knowing both plural forms helps in crossword solving when the clue uses a plural indicator. For more X-ending patterns, see words starting with REX or browse words starting with ZE for another set of high-value letter combos. Players interested in French-origin endings should also look at words ending in VIE.
FAQ
What's the highest-scoring -EX word in Scrabble?
COMPLEX scores 20 base points, and PERPLEX hits 18. But shorter words on premium squares often win: HEX on a triple-word score gives you 39 points from three tiles. For other X-heavy scoring options, check words starting with REX.
Do -EX words always come from Latin?
Almost always. The -EX ending is a Latin noun suffix (like APEX from "tip" or CODEX from "tree trunk"). A few exceptions exist — HEX comes from Pennsylvania German, and SEX entered English through Old French. For another Latin-heavy pattern, explore words starting with MONO.