6-letter words with C as the 2nd letter and L as the 4th letter

The shape is _ C _ L _ _, so the second and fourth tiles are locked while four slots stay open. S supplies 21 of the 28 answers and each of those opens SC-, a run taking in SCALES, SCALAR, SCULPT, and SCULLS. Only three words count as everyday English, which leaves the rest for tournament play.

The _ C _ L _ _ shape at a glance

• 28 tournament dictionary words fit the frame _ C _ L _ _.
• S opens 21 of them, and all 21 begin SC-.
• Just 3 rank as common English words; 23 carry definitions.
• SCOLEX tops the scores at 15, ahead of SCHLEP, SCHLUB, ACCLOY, and SCULCH on 13.
• Collins lists 28, NWL2023 22, and ENABLE 20.

Why the SC- opening dominates

Every S-initial answer here is really an SC- word. SCALES, SCALED, SCALAR, and SCALPS share that opening, and so do SCHLEP, SCHLUB, SCILLA, and SCOLIA. With C pinned to second and L to fourth, the middle of each word simply fills the SC_L frame.

Take the S words away and seven remain. O opens four of them, A opens two, and I opens one. OCULUS, OCULAR, OCELOT, and OCELLI form the O group, while ACCLOY, ACULEI, and ICKLER round out the set.

Which words score best, and who lists them

SCOLEX reaches 15 on the strength of its X, then four words tie on 13: SCHLEP, SCHLUB, ACCLOY, and SCULCH. ICKLER and SCULKS each score 12, and SCULPT, SCULPS, and SCALPS settle on 10. The average for the whole group is a modest 9.7.

Collins carries all 28 words, NWL2023 accepts 22, and ENABLE only 20, so a Collins spelling can still be refused elsewhere. Familiarity is the bigger catch: SCALES, SCALED, and OCULUS are the entries most players will recognise, and the 13-point cluster is far more obscure. Check your game's word list before you commit to an unusual one.