KHAT is an evergreen shrub from East Africa whose leaves are chewed as a mild stimulant. Also spelled qat or kat. In Scrabble, KHAT scores 11 base points with valuable K and H tiles.
Yes. KHAT is in the Scrabble-style word list used by our tools and scores 11 points in Scrabble, 10 in Words With Friends and 11 in Wordfeud (base tile values, no board multipliers). Always check the dictionary your game uses (NWL, Collins or the WWF list) before playing.
| Letter | K | H | A | T | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scrabble | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Words With Friends | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| Wordfeud | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
KHAT represents a fascinating intersection of botany, culture, and controversy—an ancient plant whose leaves have been chewed for centuries in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula for their mild stimulant effects, similar to strong coffee but with distinct cultural significance.
Botanically known as Catha edulis, khat is an evergreen shrub that thrives in the highlands of East Africa, particularly Ethiopia, Kenya, and Yemen. Fresh khat leaves contain cathinone, a natural amphetamine-like stimulant that produces mild euphoria, alertness, and talkativeness when chewed. The effects are subtle compared to processed drugs, more akin to several cups of strong coffee combined with a social atmosphere.
Culturally, khat chewing (or "khat sessions") serves as a cornerstone of social life in Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, and parts of Kenya. Men gather in afternoon sessions called "mafresh" to chew leaves, discuss politics, poetry, and business while sipping sweet tea. These gatherings strengthen social bonds and facilitate community decision-making. For many, it's not about the stimulant effect but the social ritual—like British tea time or Japanese tea ceremony.
"Khat" entered English from Arabic "qāt" (قات), which itself likely derives from the Cushitic languages of Ethiopia where the plant originated. The word's journey reflects ancient trade routes connecting Africa and Arabia.
Anagrams: no other word uses exactly the letters of KHAT.
Hooks: no front hooks; back KHATS.
Words inside KHAT: 7 shorter words can be made from these letters – highest scoring: KATHATKAAHHAATTA. See all words from KHAT.