AUSTERITY is a sophisticated 9-letter word worth 12 points in Scrabble. Featuring the valuable Y tile (4 points) and the versatile -ITY suffix, it's an excellent bingo candidate for earning the 50-point bonus.
Yes. AUSTERITY is in the Scrabble-style word list used by our tools and scores 12 points in Scrabble, 12 in Words With Friends and 13 in Wordfeud (base tile values, no board multipliers). Always check the dictionary your game uses (NWL, Collins or the WWF list) before playing.
| Letter | A | U | S | T | E | R | I | T | Y | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scrabble | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 12 |
| Words With Friends | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
| Wordfeud | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 13 |
AUSTERITY means the quality of being austere - severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance; having no comforts or luxuries. Often used in economic contexts to describe policies that reduce spending. In word games, AUSTERITY showcases the power of the -ITY suffix, one of the most productive in English. With its Y tile worth 4 points and balanced letter distribution, this 9-letter word transforms 12 base points into 62 points when played as a bingo, making it a game-changing play for strategic players.
"Austerity" derives from the Latin "austeritas," from "austerus" meaning "harsh, rough, or bitter," which came from Greek "austeros" (harsh, severe, stringent). The Greek root originally meant "making the tongue dry" or "astringent," referring to the puckering sensation of tart wine. First appearing in English in the 14th century, the word initially described physical harshness before expanding to moral strictness and eventually economic stringency. This linguistic journey from wine-tasting to fiscal policy makes AUSTERITY a fascinating addition to any word gamer's vocabulary.
Anagrams: no other word uses exactly the letters of AUSTERITY.
Hooks: no front hooks; no back hooks.
Words inside AUSTERITY: 323 shorter words can be made from these letters – highest scoring: ESTUARYSATIETYYATTERSYTTRIASESTRAYSTAYERSURETYTREATYTRUSTYTRYSTETUYERSYAREST. See all words from AUSTERITY.