Yes. PA is a valid word.
PA is valid in the North American word list used for the Scrabble board game and other crossword tile games.
PA 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 PA
PA is a casual word for a father. With the 3-point P, it is one of the more useful two-letter words for building, and it hooks many ways, from PAC and PAD to PAW and PAY.
Settle the next one at the table: score your game free in Tileside →
PA scores 4 points
Before any bonus squares: P 3 + A 1 = 4. On a double-word square that's 8, on a triple-word 12, and every letter bonus under one of these tiles is applied first.
Example: PA as the first play
Later in the game, put the P on a 3L square and PA is worth 10 before any word bonus.
Hooks: one tile makes a new word
After PA (14):
- PAC
- PADa number of sheets of paper fastened together along one edge
- PAH
- PAK
- PALa close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
- PAM
- PANcooking utensil consisting of a wide metal vessel
- PAPworthless or oversimplified ideas
Show 6 more back hooksShow fewer
- PAR(golf) the standard number of strokes set for each hole on a golf course, or for the entire course
- PASform of PA: an informal term for a father
- PATpat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
- PAWa clawed foot of an animal especially a quadruped
- PAXa ceremonial embrace given to signify Christian love and unity
- PAYgive money, usually in exchange for goods or services
Place that one tile so it also forms a word in the other direction and both words score.
Longer words from PA
Other forms of PA (1):
- PASform of PA: an informal term for a father
Change one tile
Swap any one letter of PA and these are still words:
Same letters, other words
No other word in the list uses exactly the letters P and A.
Memory tip
PA means father, like MA means mother. Add a D, L, N, T or W on the end for PAD, PAL, PAN, PAT or PAW.
On these lists
Other two-letter words starting with P
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.