-JET Words: Aviation, Industry, and a Touch of French
Words ending in -JET are a compact group dominated by compound terms from aviation and engineering. JET itself is the anchor, and most others build on it: FANJET, RAMJET, PROPJET, INKJET, TRIJET, TWINJET. Then there are the French-origin outliers — OBJET (as in objet d'art) and PROJET (an architectural draft). The word JET comes from French "jeter" (to throw), which in turn traces to Latin "jactare." Originally it described a stream of water or gas; the aircraft meaning didn't arrive until the 1940s.
For Scrabble players, J is worth 8 points, and -JET words put it in an unexpected position. Most players think of J as a starting letter (JAM, JOG, JUMP), so ending with it catches opponents off guard. INKJET at 14 points and FANJET at 13 points are solid mid-game plays. In crosswords, JET appears constantly — clued as an aircraft, a color (jet black), a stream, or even a mineral (jet is actually a gemstone formed from fossilized wood).
Check out words ending in ZIT for another tiny but high-scoring group, or browse words starting with D and words starting with B for common crossword fill that pairs well with J crossings. For more uncommon endings, words ending in Q is worth a look.
FAQ
Is OBJET valid in English Scrabble?
Yes, OBJET is accepted in both major Scrabble dictionaries. It's typically used in the phrase "objet d'art" but stands alone as a valid play worth 14 points. For other French-origin words, see words ending in ER which includes many French borrowings.
What's the difference between RAMJET and FANJET?
A RAMJET uses the engine's forward motion to compress air — no moving parts. A FANJET (or turbofan) uses a large fan to push air around the engine core. Both are valid Scrabble words and occasionally appear in technical crossword clues. For more aviation-adjacent words, try words starting with UN.