AXEL is a figure skating jump with a forward takeoff, named after Norwegian skater Axel Paulsen. It's the only jump entered from a forward edge, making it uniquely challenging.
Yes. AXEL is in the Scrabble-style word list used by our tools and scores 11 points in Scrabble, 12 in Words With Friends and 11 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 | X | E | L | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scrabble | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Words With Friends | 1 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 12 |
| Wordfeud | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
AXEL is primarily known as a figure skating jump, though it also serves as a masculine given name. In figure skating, the axel is considered one of the most difficult jumps because skaters take off from a forward outside edge and must complete an extra half rotation compared to other jumps. A single axel is actually 1.5 rotations, a double axel is 2.5 rotations, and the rare triple axel is 3.5 rotations. The jump was invented by Norwegian figure skater Axel Paulsen in 1882, who first performed it at the World Championships in Vienna. What made Paulsen's jump revolutionary was the forward takeoff—all other jumps begin skating backward. This forward entry requires exceptional timing, strength, and spatial awareness. Key characteristics of the axel jump: Forward takeoff: Only jump entered from forward outside edge Extra half rotation: More rotations than the name suggests Difficulty factor: Highest base value among single jumps Recognition: Distinctive knee bend and swing through Landing: Backward on opposite foot's outside edge
The word axel has two distinct etymological paths. As a figure skating term, it's an eponym—named after Norwegian figure skater Axel Paulsen (1855-1938) who invented the jump in 1882. The jump retained his first name rather than his surname, unusual for eponymous sports moves. The name Axel itself derives from the Hebrew name Absalom, meaning "father of peace." It traveled through multiple languages: Hebrew Avshalom → Greek Axel → Latin Axelus → Scandinavian Axel. The name became popular in Scandinavia during the medieval period and remains common in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. In skating terminology, "axel" entered English in the early 20th century as figure skating gained international popularity. The jump's name is sometimes misspelled as "axle" (like a wheel axle), but the correct skating term maintains Paulsen's name spelling. Interestingly, the jump is called "axel" in most languages, making it one of figure skating's universal terms.
Anagrams: AXLE
Hooks: no front hooks; back AXELS.
Words inside AXEL: 12 shorter words can be made from these letters – highest scoring: AXLEAXELAXLEXAXEXALELEAAEALELLA. See all words from AXEL.