Word Finder

DRUM

d-r-u-m

Noun
Basic Level
4 Letters

Quick Definition

DRUM is a valuable 4-letter word featuring the high-scoring letter M (3 points). This versatile word offers excellent board control and scoring opportunities in competitive word games.

Scrabble Points

7

Points in Scrabble

Base tile values • No multipliers applied

Definition & Meaning

A DRUM is a percussion instrument consisting of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across one or both ends, played by striking with sticks or hands. In word games, DRUM stands out for its M tile worth 3 points, making it a 7-point base word that's perfect for maximizing your score on premium squares. Its common letters also make it easy to build upon or connect with existing words on the board.

Etymology & Origin

The word "drum" comes from the Middle English "dromme" or "drumme," likely borrowed from Middle Dutch "tromme" or Middle Low German "trumme." The word is imitative in origin, mimicking the sound the instrument makes. This onomatopoetic quality makes DRUM memorable both as a musical term and as a strategic word game play.

Did You Know?

DRUM scores 7 points in Scrabble thanks to the valuable M tile (3 points), making it higher-scoring than most 4-letter words

The M in DRUM is one of only 2 M tiles in Scrabble, making this word particularly valuable when you draw that tile

DRUM forms the base for high-scoring extensions: DRUMS, DRUMMED, DRUMMER, DRUMMING, and DRUMBEAT

Usage Examples

""Playing DRUM with the M on a double letter score gave me 10 points for just four tiles!""

""I saved my M tile specifically to play DRUM on a premium square - it's always worth the wait.""

Letter Analysis

Letter Distribution

D (2 pts)
1x
R (1 pts)
1x
U (1 pts)
1x
M (3 pts)
1x

Total base points: 7 (Scrabble)

Vowels: 1 | Consonants: 3

Similar Words

Master This Word

Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like DRUM