Yes. AX is a valid word.
AX is valid in the North American word list used for the Scrabble board game and other crossword tile games.
AX is in the NASPA Word List 2023 (NWL2023), the North American list that Tileside uses for challenges and the one used in club and tournament play.
About AX
AX is worth 9 before bonuses, which makes it one of the best two-letter plays in the game. The X can sit on a triple-letter square and count in two words at once.
Settle the next one at the table: score your game free in Tileside →
AX scores 9 points
Before any bonus squares: A 1 + X 8 = 9. On a double-word square that's 18, on a triple-word 27, and every letter bonus under one of these tiles is applied first.
Example: AX as the first play
Later in the game, put the X on a 3L square and AX is worth 25 before any word bonus.
Hooks: one tile makes a new word
In front of AX (10):
- FAXto transmit and reproduce by electronic means
- LAXa vowel articulated with relatively relaxed muscles; not strict or stringent
- MAXto reach the upper limit
- PAXa ceremonial embrace given to signify Christian love and unity
- RAXto stretch out
- SAXa saxophone
- TAXto place a charge imposed by authority for public purposes on
- VAXto vaccinate
After AX (1):
- AXEto ax
Place that one tile so it also forms a word in the other direction and both words score.
Longer words from AX
Other forms of AX (3):
Words that start with AX:
- AXAL
- AXEL
- AXILthe upper angle between an axis and an offshoot such as a branch or leafstalk
- AXISa straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions
- AXLEa shaft on which a wheel rotates
- AXONlong nerve fiber that conducts away from the cell body of the neuron
- AXELS
- AXIALof or relating to or resembling an axis of rotation
Change one tile
Swap any one letter of AX and these are still words:
Same letters, other words
No other word in the list uses exactly the letters A and X.
Add one tile: words from these letters plus one more
AX + E
- AXEto ax
AX + F
- FAXto transmit and reproduce by electronic means
AX + L
- LAXa vowel articulated with relatively relaxed muscles; not strict or stringent
AX + M
- MAXto reach the upper limit
AX + P
- PAXa ceremonial embrace given to signify Christian love and unity
AX + R
- RAXto stretch out
AX + S
- SAXa saxophone
AX + T
- TAXto place a charge imposed by authority for public purposes on
AX + V
- VAXto vaccinate
AX + W
- WAXto coat with a natural, heat-sensitive substance
AX + Z
- ZAXa tool for cutting roof slates
Memory tip
AX is the American spelling of axe, the tool. Put the X on a letter bonus square where it makes AX one way and another word, like XI, the other, and the X scores twice.
On these lists
Other two-letter words starting with A
Check words at the table, free
Tileside keeps score, checks words like this one during a challenge, tracks the tiles left in the bag and times turns. It runs in your phone's browser with no account and works offline.
Tileside checks words against the North American list, the NASPA Word List 2023. Your group's chosen dictionary always wins. Playing the international (Collins) list? Turn on its 20 extra two-letter words in Setup.
Word list: NASPA Word List 2023, used under license. NASPA Word List 2023 Edition © NASPA 2023. The copy included in this app is licensed for personal use. You may not use it for any commercial purposes.
Works with the Scrabble board game, played at the table. Tileside is an independent product, not affiliated with or endorsed by the makers of Scrabble.