Words that Start with X

Scrabble and word game buffs are always looking for those high-point friends also known as words that start with X.

The letter X is the third least common letter in the English language. To make the sound for the symbol X – eks – the English language most often places a vowel, such as the letter ‘e’, before the X, as in the word “example.” True words that begin with the letter X frequently sound as if they start with the letter Z. Even in some compound words, especially those found in scientific terminology, the letter X at the beginning of the word is most often pronounced like the letter Z.

English adopted the letter X from Greek and Etruscan roots. You’ll most often find an X at the start of words with Greek origin. You’ll find the letter X used in other languages too, but mostly preceded by a vowel rather than starting a word.

The letter X is also used in English as a symbolic representation of a kiss. Legend has it that in ancient times, illiterate people signed their names with a cross or an X, and then kissed the signature to indicate that they approve and blessed their signature.

A List of Words that Start with X

The resources section below will guide you towards comprehensive lists of words that start with X. However, here are a few words to get you started:

  • Xebec: A xebec is a special three-masted sailing ship used in the Mediterranean
  • Xenon: Scientists call xenon one of the noble gases. It’s odorless, colorless, and found in very small quantities in the Earth’s atmosphere.
  • Xerography: The word for a process to copy documents is xerography.
  • Xerox: Xerox is the patented process for copying documents, and the name of a corporation. The word Xerox should never be used as a synonym for photocopying a document.
  • Xhosa: Xhosa is the name of the Bantu language, and a name for a member of the Bantu people of South Africa.
  • Xylem: Botanists describe the tubes within the stems of woody plants as xylem. The xylem conducts fluids up the plant, while phloem brings the fluids down.
  • Xylophone: A percussion instrument with wood or metal tubes struck with hammers.
  • XML: A computer language abbreviation for extensible markup language.

Resources

  • Word Over has a huge list of words that begin with X. Click on the word, and you’ll be taken to a page that tells you how many letters are in each word, what words can be formed within the word, and any anagrams that can be made from the word.
  • Another poster includes weird words starting with X on And Now for Something. Once you’ve perused the list for a while, visit Phrontistery, where they’ve very kindly posted the definitions of many of these unusual words.
  • If you’re up for the challenge, Word Search Fun contains an interactive online word search featuring words that begin with X. The site will either drive you crazy or make you feel very smart, depending on how quickly you can solve the puzzle.
  • Another Web site that contains over a dozen puzzles with words that begin with the letter X is Misc. Media. You may want to run a virus check on the files, however, since each must be downloaded individually before playing your puzzle.
  • Crossword Solver provides words that begin with X, so you can finish that crossword puzzle and get some sleep tonight. Thankfully, this site also includes good definitions, which helps people trying to solve crossword puzzles. Many are multiple word phrases, however, which won’t do for Scrabble and other word games.
  • For teachers, there’s a Web site that includes family activity booklets and printable worksheets for students to learn their alphabet. Teacher Vision includes some paid resources as well.
  • Enchanted Learning contains two free printable books to learn more about words that begin with X. Illustrations within the booklet invite children to color and create while learning how to spell letters that begin with X.
  • ESL teachers can find a free interactive quiz at Leticia Bradley’s Web site to test