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SPHINX A mythical creature with a human head and lion's body; most famously, the Great Sphinx of Giza.
18
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
A sphinx is a mythical creature typically depicted with a human head and a lion's body. The most famous example is the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt, carved from limestone around 2500 BCE, which stands guard near the pyramids.
In Greek mythology, the sphinx was portrayed differently - often with wings and female. The most famous Greek sphinx posed riddles to travelers, devouring those who answered incorrectly. This riddling sphinx appears in the story of Oedipus.
For Scrabble enthusiasts, SPHINX is a powerful 6-letter word containing three high-value consonants (S, P, H, X). Its mythological familiarity makes it easier to remember than technical X words, while its consonant cluster provides excellent scoring.
Beyond mythology, 'sphinx' has entered common usage to describe someone enigmatic or inscrutable. The phrase 'sphinx-like' suggests mysterious silence or an unreadable expression, reflecting the creature's association with riddles and secrets.
The word 'sphinx' comes from Greek 'Sphinx,' possibly derived from the Egyptian 'shesep-ankh' meaning 'living image.' The Greek term may also connect to 'sphingein' meaning 'to squeeze' or 'strangle,' referring to the creature's habit of strangling victims. It entered English via Latin in the 15th century.
Words with similar meaning
ENIGMA
Mystery or puzzle
RIDDLE
Puzzling question
MYSTERY
Something unknown
Words with opposite meaning
OPEN BOOK
Easy to understand
TRANSPARENT
Clear and obvious
Plural Form
sphinxes/sphinges
Related Terms
Mysterious, unreadable expression
Famous mythological puzzle
Monument at Giza
Total base points: 18 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 1 | Consonants: 5
Other high-scoring 6-letter words (Scrabble)
Focus on maximizing tile placement and multipliers.
"The Great Sphinx of Giza has watched over the desert for over 4,500 years."
"She maintained a sphinx-like silence during the interrogation."
"Playing SPHINX with the X on a triple letter square yielded an impressive score."
The sphinx embodies mystery and ancient wisdom in global culture. From Egyptian monuments to Greek myths to modern metaphors, it represents the unknowable and eternal. The image appears in art, literature, psychology (Oedipal complex), and even company logos, symbolizing strength, mystery, and timelessness.
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like SPHINX