5-letter words with K as the 1st letter and U as the 3rd letter

A fixed K _ U _ _ pattern produces only 14 tournament-dictionary entries, and none is classed as common. The set ranges from familiar-looking KLUTZ to specialist forms such as KAURY and KRUBI. Coverage differs by dictionary: Collins includes all 14, compared with eight in NWL2023 and seven in ENABLE.

What stands out in this K-U pattern?

• Fourteen entries match the fixed K-at-one, U-at-three pattern.
• Collins lists all 14; NWL2023 accepts eight and ENABLE accepts seven.
• None of the entries qualifies as common under wordfreq frequency.
• KLUTZ scores 18 points, the highest score in this set.
• Four entries end in S, while two end in I.

Where do these words end?

The last-letter spread is lopsided: S is the most frequent ending, appearing in KNUTS, KHUDS, KNUBS, and KNURS. I appears in KAURI and KRUBI. The other endings are A, E, H, L, R, and U, each represented by one word.

That makes the final tile a useful second filter after K and U. If your puzzle rules out S, the set drops from four matching words to ten; ruling out I removes two more. KAURI and KOURA also show that the same fixed pattern can lead to different endings.

Each confirmed letter sharply trims these fourteen candidates.

Four matches end in S.

5-letter words with K as the 1st letter and U as the 3rd letter

KLUTZ is the scoring standout at 18 points, well above the set's 10.8-point average. KAUGH and KHUDS follow at 13 points each. KAURY scores 12, while KNUBS and KRUBI score 11 apiece.

Dictionary coverage is the main limitation: Collins contains all 14 matches, but NWL2023 has eight and ENABLE has seven. The list is therefore not a promise that every entry works in every game. Check the active word list before playing an unfamiliar form; the seven-word ENABLE subset is especially selective.