j-i-n-x
JINX means a person, thing, or influence believed to bring bad luck; a curse or spell. As a verb, it means to bring bad luck to someone. With both J and X worth 8 points each, it's a powerful 18-point play in Scrabble.
18
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
JINX is a noun and verb that refers to something or someone believed to bring bad luck. The word captures the superstitious belief that certain people, objects, or actions can curse someone with misfortune. In its verb form, to jinx means to cast bad luck upon someone or something.
The word encompasses several related meanings:
In Scrabble and word games, JINX is exceptionally valuable because it contains two premium letters: J (8 points) and X (8 points). This makes it one of the highest-scoring 4-letter words, especially when placed strategically on multiplier squares.
The word jinx has a fascinating etymology rooted in American folklore and superstition. It derives from the name of a bird called the wryneck (genus Jynx), particularly Jynx torquilla.
The wryneck bird was associated with witchcraft and magic in ancient times because of its peculiar ability to twist its neck almost 180 degrees, creating an eerie, snake-like movement. This uncanny behavior led to the bird being used in magical rituals and love spells in Greek and Roman times.
The word entered American English in the early 20th century (around 1911), initially appearing in baseball slang where pitchers would "put a jinx" on batters. From sports, it quickly spread to general usage, becoming a common term for any curse or bringer of bad luck.
"Don't jinx it!" - Warning someone not to speak too soon about good fortune
"Jinx! You owe me a soda" - Children's game when two people say the same thing
"Put a jinx on" - To curse or bring bad luck to someone/something
"Break the jinx" - To end a streak of bad luck
•JINX contains both J and X (8 points each), making it worth 18 base points - exceptional for a 4-letter word
•The jinx superstition exists in cultures worldwide, often with different rituals to break the curse
•In baseball, a "no-hitter jinx" refers to mentioning a no-hitter in progress, supposedly cursing it
•The plural "JINXES" and past tense "JINXED" are also valid Scrabble words
•Playing JINX on a triple word score yields 54 points before any letter multipliers
"Don't jinx it by talking about our winning streak!"
"She believed she was a jinx because bad things happened whenever she was around."
"The two kids said 'pizza' at the same time, and one quickly shouted 'Jinx!'"
"He played JINX on a double word score, earning 36 points in one move."
Similar length and difficulty words
Total base points: 18 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 1 | Consonants: 3
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like JINX
The concept of jinxing spans cultures and centuries. In sports, the jinx superstition is particularly strong - broadcasters avoid mentioning no-hitters, perfect games, or winning streaks for fear of "jinxing" them. This belief is so pervasive that it has its own protocols in sports media.
The children's jinx game, where saying the same thing simultaneously results in one person "jinxing" the other (who then cannot speak until released), appears in various forms worldwide. Different cultures have different release conditions - from someone saying the jinxed person's name to buying the jinxer a soda.
In many traditions, various rituals exist to ward off jinxes: knocking on wood, throwing salt over one's shoulder, or wearing protective amulets. These practices reflect humanity's universal desire to control luck and fate through symbolic actions.
Letter Values: Remember both J and X are worth 8 points - don't undervalue this word.
Extensions: JINX can become JINXED or JINXES, but not JINXS (invalid).
Placement: Don't waste this high-value word on regular squares - wait for multipliers.
X Position: The X at the end is perfect for creating two-direction plays.
These words share similar high point values with J, X, or other premium letters:
QUIZ
22 points
HAZY
19 points
COZY
18 points
FOXY
17 points
LAZY
16 points
MAZE
15 points
JAVA
14 points