QUAD Words: Four Is the Magic Number
Every word starting with QUAD connects back to the Latin "quattuor," meaning four. QUADRANT (a quarter of a circle), QUADRUPLE (four times), QUADRILATERAL (four-sided), QUADRUPED (four-footed), QUADRICEPS (four-headed muscle) — the "four" meaning runs through every single one. Even QUAD itself, which most people know as a college courtyard, got its name because traditional university quads are four-sided. This makes QUAD- one of the most semantically consistent prefixes in English: if a word starts with QUAD, it involves the number four, period.
For word game players, QUAD is a strong opening. Q is worth 10 points, and QUAD itself scores 14 points for just four tiles — that's a tremendous per-tile ratio. The longer QUAD- words are less practical in Scrabble because they're hard to fit on the board, but QUADS (15 points) and QUADRAT (17 points, a small metal block used in typesetting) are solid mid-length plays. In crosswords, QUADRANT is the most frequently clued QUAD- word, usually appearing with clues about compass directions, circles, or coordinate planes.
Strategy note: If you're holding Q-U-A-D in Scrabble, play QUAD immediately unless you can see a clear path to QUADS or QUADRAT. Sitting on a Q too long risks a 10-point penalty at game's end. For the broader Q family, see words starting with PH for another Greek-Latin prefix group, and words ending in ING for extending QUAD into QUADDING or QUADRATING. words ending in LY covers QUADRUPLY and similar adverb forms.
FAQ
What does QUADRAT mean in Scrabble?
QUADRAT is a small metal block used in letterpress printing to fill blank spaces. It scores 17 points base and is valid in both TWL and SOWPODS. Most opponents won't challenge it but may not know the definition. It's related to QUADRATE (to make square). For other printing terms useful in word games, browse words starting with G where GALLEY and GUTTER appear.
Is QUADRILLION a valid Scrabble word?
QUADRILLION is 11 letters long, which makes it technically playable but nearly impossible to place on a standard 15x15 board. It is valid in SOWPODS. More practical QUAD- plays stay under 8 letters: QUAD, QUADS, QUADDED, QUADRAT, QUADRIC. For other long but valid Q words, check words ending in E where QUADRUPLE fits.