13-letter words ending in P

This is one suffix wearing 74 different heads. Only two words escape the -SHIP ending, and just two are common enough to rank in everyday English. Collins accepts every word on the list, while NWL2023 accepts 42 and ENABLE 38.

13-letter P-enders at a glance

• 74 words in all, and 72 of them end in -SHIP.
• Collins accepts all 74; NWL2023 accepts 42 and ENABLE 38.
• Only COMPANIONSHIP and CRAFTSMANSHIP are common words.
• CHURCHMANSHIP leads on points at 30; the average is 22.8.
• C, P and S open 19, 15 and 15 words respectively.

What is the -MANSHIP family?

Thirteen words end in -MANSHIP, among them SPORTSMANSHIP, STATESMANSHIP, SWORDSMANSHIP, CRAFTSMANSHIP and BRINKSMANSHIP. They share the same final seven letters, so the first six do the work. Learn the stem, such as SPORTS, STATES, SWORD or CRAFTS, and the suffix takes care of itself.

SPORTSMANSHIP scores 22, STATESMANSHIP scores 20, and COMPANIONSHIP and SWORDSMANSHIP score 24 each.

Can you really play a 13-letter word?

Rarely. A 13-letter word needs at least six letters already on the board, since your rack holds seven. The realistic use is to extend a shorter word: CRAFTSMAN becomes CRAFTSMANSHIP and COMPANION becomes COMPANIONSHIP when you add the four letters of SHIP.

The scores are large, though. The 22.8 average comes from length rather than rare letters, since every word has 13 tiles, and CHURCHMANSHIP reaches 30. A double-word square on that word would reach 60, which wins most games on its own.

Which dictionary should you trust?

Collins accepts all 74. NWL2023 accepts 42 and ENABLE 38, and those 38 words appear in both. Check your game's word list before planning around rarer entries such as HOUSEWIFESKEP.

For practical play, stick to the two common words and the -MANSHIP family. Words like PHYSICIANSHIP and COADJUTORSHIP earn 28 points but rely on an opponent who has not memorised the list.