d-e-l-u-x-e
DELUXE means luxurious, elegant, or of superior quality. Originally from French, it describes premium versions of products or services. In Scrabble, DELUXE scores 14 base points, featuring the valuable X tile worth 8 points.
14
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
DELUXE embodies luxury, elegance, and premium quality across countless contexts. When something is deluxe, it transcends the ordinary—offering superior features, enhanced comfort, or elevated status. From deluxe hotel suites with panoramic views to deluxe edition albums with bonus tracks, the word signals that you're getting something special, something beyond the standard offering.
In commerce, "deluxe" serves as a powerful marketing term. A deluxe burger includes premium toppings, a deluxe car wash adds tire shine and interior cleaning, and a deluxe vacation package provides exclusive perks. The word creates perceived value, justifying higher prices by promising enhanced experiences. Interestingly, what constitutes "deluxe" varies widely—yesterday's deluxe features often become today's standard amenities.
The gaming and entertainment industries particularly embrace "deluxe." Video game deluxe editions include exclusive content, early access, and digital artbooks. Musicians release deluxe albums featuring acoustic versions, remixes, or previously unreleased tracks. These offerings cater to devoted fans willing to pay premium prices for comprehensive experiences.
In Scrabble strategy, DELUXE offers excellent scoring potential. The X tile, worth 8 points, provides the word's primary value. Combined with D (2 points) and common letters E, L, U (1 point each), DELUXE totals 14 base points. Strategic placement of the X on a double or triple letter score can yield 30+ points from a single play. The word's balanced structure—ending with E—makes it easier to extend or hook onto existing words.
The concept of "deluxe" reflects societal values around luxury and aspiration. What we consider deluxe reveals our priorities—whether it's time-saving conveniences, exclusive access, or premium materials. The word's enduring appeal in marketing suggests our perpetual desire for something better than ordinary, even when "ordinary" continues to improve. In essence, deluxe represents not just superior quality, but the human tendency to create hierarchies of experience.
"Deluxe" entered English in 1819 from French "de luxe," literally meaning "of luxury." The French phrase combines "de" (of) with "luxe" (luxury), which derives from Latin "luxus" meaning "excess, extravagance, magnificence."
The Latin root "luxus" originally meant "dislocated" or "excessive growth," connecting to the Indo-European root *leug- meaning "to bend, turn." This evolved to signify excess or extravagance—something that goes beyond normal bounds. Related Latin words include "luxuria" (luxury, excess) and "luxuriant" (abundant growth).
In French, "de luxe" functioned as a postpositive adjective (placed after the noun), as in "hôtel de luxe" or "édition de luxe." English adopted it as a single word "deluxe," typically used before nouns in the Anglo-American style: "deluxe hotel" or "deluxe edition."
The word's commercialization accelerated in the 20th century. By the 1930s, "deluxe" became a standard marketing term in America, applied to everything from automobiles to apartments. Post-WWII consumer culture further popularized "deluxe" as shorthand for "premium but attainable luxury"—democratizing a concept once reserved for the ultra-wealthy.
Words with similar meaning
Luxurious
Rich and superior in quality
Premium
Of exceptional quality
Upscale
High-class and expensive
Exclusive
Limited to select few
Superior
Higher in quality
Words with opposite meaning
Basic
Fundamental, no frills
Standard
Regular, ordinary
Economy
Budget-friendly option
Plain
Simple, unadorned
Inferior
Lower in quality
•DELUXE contains X (8 points), one of only two X tiles in standard Scrabble—use it wisely!
•The word "deluxe" exploded in popularity during the 1950s American consumer boom, appearing on everything from TVs to hamburgers
•In French, it's still written "de luxe" (two words), but English merged it into one word by the early 1900s
"They offered me the standard room, but I upgraded to the deluxe suite—totally worth the panoramic ocean view!"
"I always wait for the deluxe edition of video games—the extra content and early access justify the higher price."
LUXE
Luxury (shortened)
LUXURY
State of comfort
PREMIUM
Superior quality
EXCLUSIVE
Limited access
OPULENT
Ostentatiously rich
REFINED
Elegant and cultured
Similar length and difficulty words
Total base points: 14 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 3 | Consonants: 3
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like DELUXE