When you’re in the middle of a high-stakes Scrabble game and looking for a strategic word that can earn decent points, the word ‘strew’ might come to mind. It has a natural and familiar sound to it, which often leads players to wonder if it’s an officially acceptable word in Scrabble. Knowing whether ‘strew’ is a Scrabble word can make a big difference in your game strategy, especially if you can place it on a double or triple word score. To find out if ‘strew’ is valid, let’s explore its dictionary definition, its legality in Scrabble, its point value, and potential game strategies around using it.
What Does the Word Strew Mean?
Definition and Usage
The word strew is a verb that means to scatter or spread things untidily over a surface or area. It is commonly used in literature and conversation when referring to the act of tossing or laying out objects randomly. For example: The flowers were strewn across the table or He strewed clothes all over the room. The past tense is strewn or strewed.
Because strew is a proper English word with standard usage in writing and speech, it naturally raises the question of whether it can be played in Scrabble. The answer to that question lies in the official Scrabble word lists.
Is Strew a Valid Word in Scrabble?
Scrabble Dictionary Status
Yes,strew is a valid Scrabble word. It appears in the official Scrabble dictionaries, including the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary (OSPD) used in North America. This makes it an acceptable word in both casual and competitive play.
Whether you’re playing a classic board game at home or engaging in a digital match through an app like Words With Friends, you can legally use strew to score points, provided it fits with the tiles already on the board and follows standard gameplay rules.
Scrabble Point Value of Strew
Tile Breakdown and Scoring
Let’s break down the word strew into its individual letter values in Scrabble:
- S = 1 point
- T = 1 point
- R = 1 point
- E = 1 point
- W = 4 points
Adding these together: 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 =8 pointsfor a base play of strew. This score can be boosted by landing on premium squares like double word, triple letter, or even through crosswords made by adding new letters alongside it.
Why Strew Can Be a Smart Play
Medium-Length, Flexible Word
Strew is a five-letter word, which gives it some versatility on the Scrabble board. It’s long enough to potentially span multiple bonus squares, yet short enough to fit comfortably in tighter spaces. It also uses common letters (S, T, R, E), which are frequently available in your tile rack, along with the valuable W, which adds extra points.
Easy to Build On
Because strew ends with a ‘W,’ it opens the opportunity for suffixes and compound plays. For instance, you could add an ‘S’ at the end to make strews, or possibly combine it with other words to form compound entries depending on what’s on the board. This adaptability can lead to more point opportunities in a single move.
Common Derivatives and Plural Forms
Other Forms You Can Use
Besides strew, you can also legally use its various forms in Scrabble, assuming you have the right tiles and positioning. These include:
- Strewn– Past participle of strew, also a valid Scrabble word
- Strewed– Simple past tense of strew, acceptable in Scrabble
- Strews– Present tense third-person singular, also valid
All of these forms allow for even more flexibility, letting you adapt the word to the current board state or build around other words already in play.
Strategic Use of Strew in Gameplay
Combining With Prefixes and Suffixes
Strew doesn’t take many common prefixes, but it can work well with suffixes. If you’ve already placed strew on the board, adding an S can form strews, or you could build a word like strewn with strategic tile placement. If an existing W is on the board, you can build backwards into strew, allowing reverse word construction for more advanced strategy.
Using Premium Squares
Look for opportunities to place the W on a double or triple letter score. Since W is the highest-scoring letter in the word (4 points), multiplying its value significantly boosts your total score. Similarly, placing strew across a double or triple word score square can turn an 8-point play into a much more valuable one.
Parallel Plays and Crosswords
Because strew contains letters that are often used in common English words, you can build other words vertically or horizontally in parallel. For example, playing strew alongside other tiles may create secondary words like we, et, or rest, all of which score points on their own. These mini-combos are often the key to gaining a scoring edge over your opponent.
Frequently Asked Questions About Strew in Scrabble
- Is strew a real English word?
Yes, it is a valid verb meaning to scatter or spread things untidily. - Can you play strew in official Scrabble tournaments?
Yes, it is accepted in the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary. - How many points is strew worth in Scrabble?
It’s worth 8 points before bonuses. - Is strewn or strewed allowed in Scrabble?
Yes, both are valid plays depending on the form you need. - Is strew useful in Words With Friends?
Yes, it is allowed in Words With Friends and has strategic value there as well.
Strew is not only a valid Scrabble word, but it’s also a strategic one. With a decent point value, the ability to be extended into other words, and compatibility with many commonly played letters, it’s a solid addition to any Scrabble player’s vocabulary. Whether you’re trying to optimize your tile rack, connect with other words, or capitalize on premium board spaces, strew offers multiple avenues for boosting your score. Always keep it in mind the next time you’re scanning your rack for a smart, versatile play.