three-letter word · 10 points
Is KEY a Scrabble Word?
Yes, KEY is a valid Scrabble word. It is used as a noun and an adjective, most often meaning “metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated”.
Quick answer
Is KEY a valid Scrabble word?
Yes. KEY is a valid 3-letter word in Scrabble and Words With Friends. It scores 10 points in Scrabble and 9 points in Words With Friends, and it has 1 anagram: KYE.
Checked against this site’s open English word list. Tournament play uses the official NWL or Collins lists, which can differ on rare words and inflections.
- Letters
- 3
- Scrabble
- 10 pts
- Words With Friends
- 9 pts
- Anagrams
- 1
- Familiarity
- 100th percentile
KEY meaning and definition
KEY has 4 common senses and works as a noun and an adjective. The most common meaning is listed first.
KEY as a noun
- Metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated.
- Something crucial for explaining.
- Pitch of the voice.
KEY as an adjective
- Serving as an essential component.
KEY Scrabble score and Words With Friends points
KEY scores 10 in Scrabble and 9 in Words With Friends. The highest-value tile is K, worth 5 in Scrabble.
Letter-by-letter tile values
| Letter | Scrabble | Words With Friends |
|---|---|---|
| K | 5 | 5 |
| E | 1 | 1 |
| Y | 4 | 3 |
| Total | 10 | 9 |
KEY on premium squares
On a double word square KEY scores 20 in Scrabble; on a triple word square, 30. Putting K on a triple letter square instead adds 10 points. Its middling value makes it a flexible play for scoring steadily without breaking up a strong rack. At 3 letters it fits tight spots on a crowded board.
Rearranging the letters of KEY
1 word uses exactly the same 3 letters as KEY. See all anagrams of KEY.
- kye10
Unscramble KEY: 2 words from its letters
The letters K, E, Y make 2 shorter words, up to 2 letters long. Most common first.
- ky9
- ye5
Words like KEY
One-letter changes to KEY, useful for word ladders and board hooks.
Change one letter in KEY
- ken7
- bey8
- fey9
- keg8
- kea7
- keb9
- ley6
- dey7
- gey7
- hey9
- kay10
- ked8
- kef10
- kep9
- ket7
- kex14
- sey6
- uey6
Add one letter to KEY
- keys11
Remove one letter from KEY
- ky9
More 3-letter words starting with KE
- ken7
- keg8
- kea7
- keb9
- ked8
- kef10
- kep9
- ket7
- kex14
KEY word facts
KEY is a 3-letter word with 3 distinct letters: 1 vowel (E) and 2 consonants. It starts with K and ends with Y. By corpus frequency, KEY is among the top 1% most familiar words in the dictionary.
Holding the letters K, E, Y on your rack? The word unscrambler lists every word they make, sorted by score, and the anagram solver finds words that use all 3 of them. To check another word before you play it, use the Scrabble word checker.
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Popular anagrams
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KEY Scrabble word FAQ
Is KEY a Scrabble word?
Yes. KEY is a valid 3-letter word in Scrabble and Words With Friends. It scores 10 points in Scrabble and 9 points in Words With Friends before premium squares.
What does KEY mean?
KEY is used as a noun and an adjective. Its most common meaning is “metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated”.
How many points is KEY worth in Scrabble?
KEY is worth 10 points in Scrabble: K (5) + E (1) + Y (4). On a double word square it scores 20, and on a triple word square 30.
How many points is KEY in Words With Friends?
KEY is worth 9 points in Words With Friends, which uses different tile values from Scrabble.
What are the anagrams of KEY?
KEY has 1 anagram: KYE. Each uses exactly the same letters.
What words can you make from the letters in KEY?
You can make 2 shorter words from the letters in KEY, including KY and YE.
Definitions from Princeton University’s WordNet. Check another word.