ZEER-oks
XEROX A photocopy or to make a photocopy; originally a trademarked name for a photocopying process.
19
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
Xerox originally referred to a trademarked brand of photocopying machines and the xerographic process they used. Through widespread use, it became a generic term for any photocopy or the act of photocopying, though technically it remains a registered trademark.
The xerographic process, invented by Chester Carlson in 1938, revolutionized document reproduction. It uses electrostatic charges and dry ink (toner) to create copies, replacing earlier wet chemical processes. This innovation transformed offices worldwide.
In word games, XEROX is particularly valuable as a common 5-letter word starting with X, one of the highest-scoring letters. Its familiar spelling and everyday usage make it more accessible than many exotic X words.
Despite Xerox Corporation's efforts to protect their trademark, the word has largely entered common usage as a verb ('xerox this document') and noun ('make a xerox'). This linguistic phenomenon, where brand names become generic terms, also happened with words like 'kleenex' and 'band-aid.'
The word 'Xerox' was coined in 1959 from Greek roots: 'xeros' meaning 'dry' and 'graphein' meaning 'to write.' This reflected the dry copying process that distinguished xerography from earlier wet photographic methods. The Haloid Company adopted the name Xerox and eventually became Xerox Corporation.
Words with similar meaning
PHOTOCOPY
Generic term for copy
COPY
Reproduction
DUPLICATE
Make identical version
REPRODUCE
Create copy
Words with opposite meaning
ORIGINAL
The source document
MANUSCRIPT
Hand-written original
Plural Form
xeroxes
Related Terms
Make a photocopy
Photocopying device
Photocopy (redundant but common)
Total base points: 22 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 | Consonants: 2
Other high-scoring 5-letter words (Scrabble)
Focus on maximizing tile placement and multipliers.
"Can you xerox these documents before the meeting?"
"The library charges ten cents per xerox."
"Playing XEROX on a triple word score yielded massive points."
Xerox transformed office work and information sharing globally. Before widespread photocopying, documents were copied by hand or using carbon paper. The ability to quickly reproduce documents revolutionized business, education, and government. The term's evolution from trademark to generic word reflects its profound cultural impact.
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like XEROX