KWAN-tum
QUANTUM The smallest discrete quantity of a physical property, particularly in physics where it describes the minimum amount of any physical entity involved in an interaction.
18
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
💡 Pro Tip:
Playing QUANTUM uses all 7 tiles from your rack, earning a 50-point bingo bonus in Scrabble! Total potential: $68 points before multipliers.
Quantum refers to the smallest discrete quantity of a physical property, particularly in physics where it describes the minimum amount of any physical entity involved in an interaction. In quantum mechanics, it represents the fundamental unit of energy, matter, or other physical quantities.
The term has expanded beyond physics into popular culture, often used to describe a significant leap or breakthrough ('quantum leap'). In computing, quantum computers use quantum bits (qubits) that can exist in multiple states simultaneously, potentially revolutionizing computational power.
For word game players, 'quantum' is valuable not only for its Q but also for its common letter combination, making it easier to play than many other Q words. Its scientific cachet also makes it a satisfying word to play.
The quantum revolution has fundamentally changed our understanding of reality. Quantum mechanics reveals that at the smallest scales, the universe behaves in ways that defy common sense - particles can be in multiple places at once, and observing them changes their behavior.
The word 'quantum' comes from Latin 'quantus' meaning 'how great' or 'how much.' It entered scientific English in the early 20th century through Max Planck's quantum theory (1900), which proposed that energy is emitted in discrete packets or 'quanta.' The philosophical implications of quantum mechanics have made the word synonymous with mysterious, counterintuitive phenomena. The phrase 'quantum leap' originally meant the smallest possible change (an electron jumping between energy levels) but popular usage reversed it to mean a large jump.
Words with similar meaning
AMOUNT
Quantity or measure
PORTION
Part or share
MEASURE
Standard quantity
UNIT
Single quantity
PARTICLE
Tiny amount
INCREMENT
Small increase
Words with opposite meaning
WHOLE
Complete amount
TOTALITY
Entire quantity
BULK
Large mass
CONTINUUM
Continuous quantity
INFINITY
Unlimited amount
Plural Form
quanta
Adjective Form
quantum
Related Terms
Significant advance
Physics of tiny particles
Study of quantum phenomena
Condition of quantum system
Computing using quantum mechanics
Total base points: 18 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 3 | Consonants: 4
Can be built from:
Can extend to:
Other high-scoring 7-letter words (Scrabble)
If you can't play QUANTUM, consider these subwords:
"The physicist explained that light behaves as both a wave and a particle at the quantum level."
"The company claimed their new processor represented a quantum leap in computing speed."
"Quantum entanglement allows particles to be mysteriously connected across vast distances."
[object Object]
Quantum leap misuse
Originally meant smallest change, now used for large change
Plural form
Quanta (Latin plural) or quantums (English plural)
Quantum as buzzword
Often misused in pseudoscience
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like QUANTUM