5-letter words with D as the 3rd letter and N as the 5th letter

This pattern leaves every candidate ending in N, but the middle D sharply limits the choices: just 14 words qualify. LADEN, SEDAN, and WIDEN sit alongside specialist terms such as CODON and VODUN. The dictionary counts differ, and only three matches fall in common English words.

At a glance: the D-and-N pattern

• Fourteen tournament-dictionary words fit the pattern; every one ends in N.
• Collins lists all 14, while ENABLE and NWL2023 each list 12.
• Only three matches belong to common English words.
• Eleven matches have definitions, and their average score is 6.9.
• WIDEN and VODUN lead the scoring list at 9 points each.

Which starting letters and endings fit?

Examples range from LADEN and LODEN to SEDAN, RADON, and WIDEN. With D fixed in the third position and N fixed at the end, each guess tests a narrow arrangement rather than a broad family of endings.

Nearby patterns show how much the final letter changes the pool: keeping D third but ending in S gives 91 matches, while ending in E gives 55. Both are larger sets than the 14 words ending in N.

A second comparison changes the third letter instead: five-letter words with M third and N fifth number 49, compared with 39 for O in the third spot. These neighboring counts make the clue's two fixed positions matter in different ways.

5-letter words with D as the 3rd letter and N as the 5th letter

WIDEN and VODUN tie for the highest score at 9 points. CODON, CODEN, and BIDON each score 8, while LADEN, SEDAN, RADON, and OLDEN score 6 apiece. A strong rack score does not guarantee a strong board play; premium squares and placement still matter.

For Wordle, all 14 matches are allowed guesses, and 4 also appear in the answer list. Treat the pattern as a filter, not a promise that the solution will be an everyday word: only three matches count as common words.

The practical trade-off is clear: WIDEN offers a top score in a recognizable form, while VODUN ties it despite being less familiar to many players. Check your game's word list before playing an unfamiliar entry, since Collins includes 14 words and ENABLE and NWL2023 include 12 each.