kohf
QOPH The 19th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, also used in Arabic and other Semitic alphabets.
18
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
Qoph (also spelled qof or koph) is the 19th letter of the Hebrew alphabet and represents a sound similar to a deep 'k' produced at the back of the throat. In Hebrew numerology (gematria), it has a value of 100.
In ancient Semitic alphabets, qoph originally represented a 'emphatic' or 'pharyngealized' k sound, distinct from the regular k sound of kaph. This distinction is preserved in Arabic but has been lost in modern Hebrew pronunciation.
For word game enthusiasts, QOPH is another valuable Q-without-U word. Its connection to alphabets and linguistics makes it more likely to appear in educated play, and its 4-letter length offers good board flexibility.
The letter's pictographic origin likely depicted a monkey or the back of a head, reflecting its name which may derive from the Hebrew word for 'monkey.' In mystical traditions, qoph symbolizes holiness and the cycle of life.
The word 'qoph' comes directly from Hebrew 'qof' (קוף), which may mean 'monkey' or 'eye of a needle.' The letter's form evolved from Proto-Sinaitic script around 1500 BCE. It entered English through biblical and linguistic scholarship. The spelling 'qoph' reflects scholarly transliteration conventions for Semitic languages.
Words with similar meaning
KOF
Alternative spelling
QOF
Modern Hebrew spelling
LETTER
Alphabetic character
Words with opposite meaning
VOWEL
Qoph is a consonant
LATIN
From a different alphabet
Plural Form
qophs
Related Terms
The Hebrew character
Form used at word's end
Form the Hebrew letter
Total base points: 18 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 1 | Consonants: 3
Other high-scoring 4-letter words (Scrabble)
Focus on maximizing tile placement and multipliers.
"The Hebrew word begins with qoph, giving it a distinctive guttural sound."
"In the scroll, the scribe carefully formed each qoph with traditional calligraphy."
"Playing QOPH in Scrabble used up the difficult Q without needing a U."
As a Hebrew letter, qoph appears in countless religious texts, names, and cultural expressions. It's essential to Jewish liturgy, appearing in prayers, Torah scrolls, and mystical texts. The letter's numerical value (100) gives it significance in Hebrew numerology and religious interpretation.
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like QOPH