a-z-t-e-c
AZTEC refers to the indigenous people who dominated central Mexico from the 14th to 16th centuries, or relating to their empire, culture, and language. The Aztecs built one of the most sophisticated civilizations in the Americas, centered at Tenochtitlan (modern-day Mexico City). The word is particularly valuable in word games due to the high-scoring Z (10 points), making it a strategic play when positioned on premium squares.
16
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
The word AZTEC primarily refers to the Mexica people, an indigenous civilization that flourished in central Mexico from approximately 1300 to 1521 CE. As a noun, it denotes a member of this Native American people, while as an adjective, it describes anything relating to their culture, language (Nahuatl), or empire.
The Aztec Empire was a triple alliance between the city-states of Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan. At its height, it controlled most of central Mexico through a sophisticated system of tribute, trade, and military conquest. The capital, Tenochtitlan, was one of the largest cities in the world at the time, featuring advanced urban planning, impressive architecture, and complex social organization.
In modern usage, "Aztec" often refers to the artistic, architectural, and cultural legacy of this civilization, including their distinctive geometric patterns, stepped pyramids, and rich mythology. The term has also entered popular culture, appearing in everything from sports team names to architectural styles, though such usage sometimes oversimplifies the complexity of the actual civilization.
The word Aztec derives from "Aztecatl" in Nahuatl, meaning "someone from Aztlan." Aztlan was the mythical homeland of the Mexica people, described in their origin stories as an island in a lake somewhere to the north of their eventual empire. The name literally translates to "place of whiteness" or "place of herons."
Interestingly, the people we call Aztecs actually called themselves "Mexica" (pronounced meh-SHEE-kah), from which the modern name "Mexico" derives. The term "Aztec" was popularized by European scholars in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly by Alexander von Humboldt, as a way to distinguish the pre-Columbian inhabitants from contemporary Mexicans.
The widespread adoption of "Aztec" over "Mexica" in English and other European languages reflects colonial naming practices, though modern scholarship increasingly uses "Mexica" when referring specifically to the people of Tenochtitlan, and "Aztec" for the broader cultural complex and empire.
Aztec art and architecture continue to influence modern design. Their geometric patterns, feathered serpent motifs, and stepped pyramid structures appear in contemporary architecture, fashion, and graphic design. The iconic Aztec calendar stone has become one of the most recognizable symbols of pre-Columbian art.
Nahuatl, the Aztec language, has contributed numerous words to English and Spanish, including chocolate (chocolatl), tomato (tomatl), avocado (ahuacatl), coyote (coyotl), and chili (chilli). Over 1.5 million people still speak varieties of Nahuatl today.
The Aztec eagle perched on a cactus eating a snake remains the central image on Mexico's flag, derived from the founding myth of Tenochtitlan. Aztec history and symbolism play a crucial role in Mexican national identity and cultural pride.
Aztec society was highly stratified, with nobles (pipiltin), commoners (macehualtin), serfs, and slaves. They developed sophisticated agricultural techniques including chinampas (floating gardens), had mandatory education for all children, and created one of the most accurate calendars of the pre-modern world.
The Aztec economy was based on agriculture, tribute, and trade. Markets (tianguis) were central to economic life, with the Tlatelolco market reportedly hosting 60,000 traders daily. They used cacao beans as currency and had a complex tribute system that brought wealth from across Mesoamerica.
•The Z in AZTEC is worth 10 points in Scrabble, making it one of the most valuable 5-letter words starting with A
•The Aztecs invented mandatory education - every child, regardless of social class or gender, was required to attend school
•Tenochtitlan was built on an island and connected to the mainland by three major causeways, with drawbridges for defense
•The Aztec calendar stone weighs 24 tons and is 12 feet in diameter, containing intricate astronomical calculations
"The Aztec calendar system was remarkably sophisticated, combining a 260-day ritual calendar with a 365-day solar calendar."
— Historical context
"She wore a beautiful sweater with an Aztec pattern in vibrant blues and golds."
— Modern fashion context
"Playing AZTEC on a triple word score with the Z on a double letter score netted me 92 points!"
— Word game context
"The museum's Aztec exhibition features artifacts from recent archaeological discoveries in Mexico City."
— Museum context
Similar length and difficulty words
Total base points: 16 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 (A, E) | Consonants: 3 (Z, T, C)
Letter rarity: Contains Z, one of only two 10-point tiles
Pattern: VCCVC (Vowel-Consonant-Consonant-Vowel-Consonant)
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like AZTEC