The Short List: Words Ending in ZEE
This is one of the smallest word families in the English dictionary. Words ending in -ZEE can practically be counted on one hand: ZEE itself (the American name for the letter Z), FUZEE (a type of flare or fuse), and RAZEE (to cut down a ship by removing the upper deck). There's also ASSIGNEE and SETTEE... wait, those end in -EE, not -ZEE. That's the trap here — the double-E ending is everywhere, but pairing it with Z narrows things drastically.
For Scrabble players, ZEE is a reliable 12-point play that uses the valuable Z tile (worth 10 points) in a compact three-letter word. FUZEE at 17 points base is even better if you can place it. RAZEE scores 14 points and has the added benefit of being obscure enough that opponents might challenge it — and lose their turn. In crosswords, ZEE often appears as fill for the clue "letter before omega" or simply "Z." If you're working a puzzle with words ending in E, remember that ZEE is always available as a short fill option. For more unusual ending patterns that involve Z, take a look at words ending in EX as well.
FAQ
Is ZEE valid in international Scrabble?
ZEE is valid in both TWL (North American) and SOWPODS (international) dictionaries. In the UK and most Commonwealth countries, the letter is called ZED instead, which is also a valid Scrabble word. Both score well — ZEE gets 12 points, ZED gets 13. See also words ending in F for other short high-scoring options.
What does RAZEE mean and can I really play it?
RAZEE is both a noun and a verb — it means to cut down a sailing ship by removing the upper deck to make it lighter and faster. The British Navy did this to several ships in the 1800s. It's fully valid in competitive Scrabble, worth 14 points base. For more naval and historical terms, browse words starting with N.