DERVISH

Noun7 lettersValid in our Scrabble word list
Unscramble DERVISH

Quick definition

DERVISH is a member of a Muslim religious order noted for devotional exercises, particularly the whirling dance of Sufi dervishes. In word games, it's a valuable 7-letter word featuring the high-scoring V and H tiles.

Is DERVISH a valid Scrabble word?

Yes. DERVISH is in the Scrabble-style word list used by our tools and scores 14 points in Scrabble, 14 in Words With Friends and 14 in Wordfeud (base tile values, no board multipliers). Always check the dictionary your game uses (NWL, Collins or the WWF list) before playing.

LetterDERVISHTotal
Scrabble211411414
Words With Friends211511314
Wordfeud211411414

Definition and meaning

A DERVISH is a member of a Muslim religious order who has taken vows of poverty and austerity. Most famously known for the "whirling dervishes" of the Mevlevi order, who perform a spinning dance as a form of dhikr (remembrance of God). The image of white-robed figures spinning in meditation has become an iconic symbol of mystical Islam.

In word games, DERVISH spins up {gameData[selectedGame].points} base points. Using all 7 tiles earns you the coveted 50-point bingo bonus, making your total score {gameData[selectedGame].points + 50} points before any multipliers! The V (4 points) and H (4 points) provide solid scoring potential.

Strategic tip: DERVISH is an anagram of SHRIVED (past tense of shrive), giving you flexibility with the same tiles. The -ISH ending is particularly useful for parallel plays. Look for opportunities to build from existing words ending in -ERV or play off the common -ISH pattern.

DERVISH in a sentence

  • DERVISH for a bingo! 64 points plus 50 - that V and H combo really whirls up the score!
  • Cultural words like DERVISH are goldmines - everyone knows them but forgets they're playable!

Origin

DERVISH comes from Turkish "derviş," from Persian "darvīsh," meaning "poor" or "needy one," referring to their vow of poverty. The word entered English in the 1580s through contact with the Ottoman Empire. Its association with whirling comes from the Mevlevi order founded by followers of the poet Rumi in the 13th century.

Anagrams, hooks and words inside DERVISH

Anagrams: SHRIVED

Hooks: no front hooks; no back hooks.

Words inside DERVISH: 109 shorter words can be made from these letters – highest scoring: SHRIVEDHIVEDSHIVERSHRIVEHIVESSHIVEDIVERSDRIVESHIDERSHIVESHIVDIVER. See all words from DERVISH.

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