Words Ending in REX: Kings and Chemistry
REX means "king" in Latin, but the -REX ending in English word games goes beyond royalty. You've got REX itself (a king, or a breed of cat/rabbit with curly fur), plus a handful of specialized terms: CAREX (a genus of sedge grasses), MUREX (a spiny sea snail whose secretions made Tyrian purple dye), LUREX (a metallic yarn), MIREX (a pesticide), and PYREX (heat-resistant glass, though the capitalized brand name isn't always accepted). PREX is college slang for president.
This is a great pattern for Scrabble because every word here uses the X tile (8 points) efficiently. REX itself is 10 points for three letters. MUREX hits 14 points, and CAREX scores 14 too. The key strategy: these are short words with high per-tile value, perfect for tight board positions where you can't fit a longer play. In crosswords, REX appears in clues about Latin, dinosaurs (T. Rex), or cats. MUREX is a favorite among harder puzzle constructors — if you see a clue about ancient purple dye or spiny shells, that's your answer. For more short scoring opportunities, take a look at words ending in C and words ending in A. Players who collect words ending in W will find similar niche vocabulary.
FAQ
Is PYREX valid in Scrabble?
PYREX (lowercase) is accepted in SOWPODS (international dictionary) but not always in TWL (North American). Since it originated as a brand name, tournament rulings can vary. CAREX, MUREX, LUREX, and MIREX are universally accepted. Check words ending in FE for other trademark-adjacent words in Scrabble.
What was Tyrian purple and why does MUREX matter?
Tyrian purple was the most expensive dye in the ancient world, extracted from the mucus of MUREX sea snails. It took thousands of snails to produce a single gram, making it literally worth more than gold. The color became synonymous with royalty. For more unusual vocabulary, explore words starting with N where many nature and science terms appear.