Words Ending in OX: Boxes, Foxes, and a Crossword Goldmine
BOX and FOX are probably the first -OX words that come to mind, and they anchor an entire family. MAILBOX, SANDBOX, TOOLBOX — the -BOX compounds alone account for a chunk of this category. Then you have the animal side: FOX, OX, and their relatives. And the science corner: DETOX, PARADOX, EQUINOX, ORTHODOX. The X at the end guarantees at least 8 bonus points in Scrabble, making every -OX word a scoring opportunity.
Here's what makes -OX special in crosswords: the plural forms are irregular. OX becomes OXEN (not OXES), FOX becomes FOXES, BOX becomes BOXES. This irregularity creates interesting clue possibilities — "more than one ox" could be OXEN or the less common OXES (which is also valid). Crossword constructors use this ambiguity intentionally. The most crossword-friendly -OX words are BOX, FOX, POX, and SOX, all short enough for tight grid corners. For word game scoring, PARADOX (17 points) and ORTHODOX (19 points) are heavy hitters if you can find the board space. Browse words starting with X for more X-tile strategies, or check words starting with S for SMALLPOX and SANDBOX. Players who like rare endings might enjoy words ending in QUE.
FAQ
Is OXES a real word?
Yes. While OXEN is the traditional plural of OX, OXES is also accepted in Scrabble dictionaries. It's a less common but perfectly valid plural. Both forms show up in crossword puzzles. For other unusual plurals, check words starting with V where VERTICES and VORTICES appear.
What -OX words are best for Scrabble?
EQUINOX scores 23 base points — one of the highest natural -OX plays. PARADOX (17), ORTHODOX (19), and even simple FOX (13) on a triple-word square can dominate a game. For comparable X-scoring plays, see words starting with X.