Yes. LI is a valid word.
LI is valid in the North American word list used for the Scrabble board game and other crossword tile games.
LI 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 LI
Chinese maps and old travel accounts measure distances in li, about a third of a mile. In play, LI is a quiet spot for an L next to an I.
Settle the next one at the table: score your game free in Tileside →
LI scores 2 points
Before any bonus squares: L 1 + I 1 = 2. On a double-word square that's 4, on a triple-word 6, and every letter bonus under one of these tiles is applied first.
Example: LI as the first play
Later in the game, put the L on a 3L square and LI is worth 4 before any word bonus.
Hooks: one tile makes a new word
After LI (7):
- LIB
- LIDeither of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
- LIEbe located or situated somewhere
- LIN
- LIPeither of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
- LISform of LI: Chinese distance measure
- LITform of LIGHT: (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
Place that one tile so it also forms a word in the other direction and both words score.
Longer words from LI
Other forms of LI (1):
- LISform of LI: Chinese distance measure
Words that start with LI:
- LIARa person who has lied or who lies repeatedly
- LIAS
- LIBS
- LICEform of LOUSE: wingless usually flattened bloodsucking insect parasitic on warm-blooded animals
- LICH
- LICKbeat thoroughly and conclusively in a competition or fight
- LIDOa recreational facility including a swimming pool for water sports
- LIDSform of LID: either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
Change one tile
Swap any one letter of LI and these are still words:
Same letters, other words
No other word in the list uses exactly the letters L and I.
Add one tile: words from these letters plus one more
LI + A
- AILaromatic bulb used as seasoning
LI + B
LI + D
- LIDeither of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye
LI + F
LI + K
- ILKa kind of person
LI + L
- ILLaffected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
LI + M
- MILa Cypriot monetary unit equal to one thousandth of a pound
LI + O
- OILa slippery or viscous liquid or liquefiable substance not miscible with water
Memory tip
LI is a Chinese unit of distance, about a third of a mile. Add a D for LID, an E for LIE or a P for LIP.
On these lists
Other two-letter words starting with L
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.