Yes. KI is a valid word.
KI is valid in the North American word list used for the Scrabble board game and other crossword tile games.
KI 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 KI
KI is the Japanese form of the same idea as QI, the life energy behind martial arts like aikido. It is one of only three two-letter homes for the K in the North American list, with KA and OK.
Settle the next one at the table: score your game free in Tileside →
KI scores 6 points
Before any bonus squares: K 5 + I 1 = 6. On a double-word square that's 12, on a triple-word 18, and every letter bonus under one of these tiles is applied first.
Example: KI as the first play
Later in the game, put the K on a 3L square and KI is worth 16 before any word bonus.
Hooks: one tile makes a new word
In front of KI (1):
- SKInarrow wood or metal or plastic runners used in pairs for gliding over snow
After KI (7):
Place that one tile so it also forms a word in the other direction and both words score.
Longer words from KI
Other forms of KI (1):
- KISform of KI: the circulating life energy that in Chinese philosophy is thought to be inherent in all things
Words that start with KI:
Change one tile
Swap any one letter of KI and these are still words:
Same letters, other words
Memory tip
KI is another spelling of QI, the life force in Chinese thought. Both end in I, and KI puts the 5-point K to work.
On these lists
Other two-letter words starting with K
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.