Complete list of all 85 CSW21 words containing Q but not U, with Scrabble scores
Every Scrabble player dreads drawing the Q without a U. It feels like a 10-point anchor weighing down your rack. But here's the truth: there are 85 valid Q-without-U words in the CSW21 dictionary, and knowing them transforms the Q from a liability into your most powerful weapon.
The most important ones to memorize first:
Should you hold the Q hoping for a U, or play it without one? Here's the framework:
Early game: Hold for 1-2 turns if you don't know any Q-no-U words. If you know them, play immediately — 10 points off your rack frees up your draws.
Mid game: Almost always play the Q as soon as possible. The scoring penalty for holding it (reduced draws, limited plays) outweighs the benefit of waiting for a U.
End game: Play the Q immediately. An unplayed Q at game's end costs you 10 points and gives your opponent 10 points — a 20-point swing.
With a blank: If you have both Q and a blank tile, the blank can substitute for U. But don't waste the blank — play a Q-no-U word instead and save the blank for a bingo.
| Word | Score | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| QI | 11 | — |
| Word | Score | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| QAT | 12 | — |
| QIN | 12 | — |
| QIS | 12 | — |
| Word | Score | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| CINQ | 15 | — |
| FIQH | 19 | — |
| QADI | 14 | — |
| QAID | 14 | — |
| QATS | 13 | — |
| QINS | 13 | — |
| QOPH | 18 | — |
| WAQF | 19 | — |
| Word | Score | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| CINQS | 16 | — |
| FAQIR | 17 | — |
| FIQHS | 20 | — |
| NIQAB | 16 | — |
| QADIS | 15 | — |
| QAIDS | 15 | — |
| QAJAQ | 30 | — |
| QANAT | 14 | — |
| QAPIK | 20 | — |
| QIBLA | 16 | — |
| QOPHS | 19 | — |
| QORMA | 16 | — |
| TALAQ | 14 | — |
| TRANQ | 14 | — |
| WAQFS | 20 | — |
| Word | Score | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| FAQIRS | 18 | — |
| NIQAAB | 17 | — |
| NIQABS | 17 | — |
| QABALA | 17 | — |
| QAJAQS | 31 | — |
| QANATS | 15 | — |
| QAPIKS | 21 | — |
| QASIDA | 16 | — |
| QAWWAL | 21 | — |
| QIBLAS | 17 | — |
| QIGONG | 17 | — |
| QINDAR | 16 | — |
| QINTAR | 15 | — |
| QORMAS | 17 | — |
| QWERTY | 21 | — |
| SHEQEL | 18 | — |
| TALAQS | 15 | — |
| TRANQS | 15 | — |
| YAQONA | 18 | — |
| Word | Score | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| INQILAB | 18 | — |
| KAMOTIQ | 22 | — |
| NIQAABS | 18 | — |
| QABALAH | 21 | — |
| QABALAS | 18 | — |
| QASIDAS | 17 | — |
| QAWWALI | 22 | — |
| QAWWALS | 22 | — |
| QIGONGS | 18 | — |
| QINDARS | 17 | — |
| QINTARS | 16 | — |
| QWERTYS | 22 | — |
| SHEQELS | 19 | — |
| TSADDIQ | 18 | — |
| TZADDIQ | 27 | — |
| YAQONAS | 19 | — |
| Word | Score | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| INQILABS | 19 | — |
| KAMOTIQS | 23 | — |
| MBAQANGA | 22 | — |
| QABALAHS | 22 | — |
| QABALISM | 21 | — |
| QABALIST | 19 | — |
| QAIMAQAM | 30 | — |
| QALAMDAN | 20 | — |
| QAWWALIS | 23 | — |
| QINDARKA | 22 | — |
| QINTARKA | 21 | — |
| QWERTIES | 20 | — |
| SHEQALIM | 22 | — |
| TSADDIQS | 19 | — |
| TZADDIQS | 28 | — |
| Word | Score | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| MBAQANGAS | 23 | — |
| QABALISMS | 22 | — |
| QABALISTS | 20 | — |
| QAIMAQAMS | 31 | — |
| QALAMDANS | 21 | — |
| TSADDIQIM | 22 | — |
| TZADDIQIM | 31 | — |
| Word | Score | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| QABALISTIC | 23 | — |
Most Q-without-U words come from Arabic (QADI, FAQIR, NIQAB), Chinese (QI, QIGONG), or are abbreviated forms (TRANQ, MAQ). This makes them feel "foreign" to English speakers, but they're all fully valid in competitive Scrabble under the CSW21 dictionary used internationally.
Under the North American TWL dictionary, fewer Q-without-U words are valid. If you play in TWL tournaments, check which words are accepted — the list is shorter. But for online play and international competition, the full CSW21 list applies.