x-e-b-e-c
XEBEC is a small three-masted Mediterranean sailing ship. With X (8pts) and C (3pts), it scores 16 points - a fantastic play!
16
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values β’ No multipliers applied
XEBEC (also spelled zebec or chebec) was a small, fast sailing ship used in the Mediterranean from the 16th to 19th centuries. Originally favored by Barbary pirates for their speed and maneuverability, xebecs were later adopted by European navies for patrol and dispatch duties.
XEBEC comes from French "chΓ©bec," from Spanish "jabeque" or Catalan "xabec," ultimately from Arabic "shabbΔk." The word entered English in the 1750s during increased Mediterranean naval activity. The X spelling reflects the Catalan pronunciation.
β’Xebecs could outrun almost any ship of their era due to their unique sail and oar combination
β’XEBEC is one of the highest-scoring 5-letter words starting with X in Scrabble!
β’The U.S. Navy operated xebecs against Barbary pirates in the early 1800s
"XEBEC saved my game - 16 points base, but 48 with the triple word score!"
"Nobody expects XEBEC - it's my secret weapon for clearing X tiles."
In context: "The xebec's lateen sails caught the Mediterranean breeze perfectly."
Word game tip: "Place XEBEC's X on a double letter score and watch your score soar!"
Similar length and difficulty words
Total base points: 16 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 | Consonants: 3
XEBEC is a premium X-word that many players don't know. Its naval theme makes it memorable once learned.
X Positioning is Key
Place the X (8pts) on a double or triple letter score for 16-24 points from just one tile!
Triple High-Value Tiles
X (8pts) + B (3pts) + C (3pts) = 14 base points. One of the highest-scoring 5-letter words!
Surprise Factor
Many players don't know XEBEC is valid. Have dictionary confirmation ready!
XEBEC has no valid full anagrams in Scrabble. However, you can make these shorter words from its letters:
Note: EXEC (short for executive) uses 4 of XEBEC's letters for good points!
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like XEBEC