6-letter words with D as the 1st letter and Y as the 6th letter

A closing Y is worth four points, and 14 matches score 15 or more, so this pattern plays above its weight. Deputy, deeply, deadly and deploy are the familiar members, while the -LY adverbs and adjectives such as doubly, dreary and drafty give the list its character. Collins holds 91, NWL2023 76 and ENABLE 70.

The D-and-Y pattern at a glance

• 92 matches, all ending in Y; Collins keeps 91 and NWL2023 76.
• 31 end -LY, from deeply and deadly to deftly and dually.
• R is the commonest second letter with 26 matches, then E and I on 17.
• 14 matches score 15 or more, and the average is 12.9.
• Only 2 carry a Z or X: dozily and desoxy.

Why does this pattern score so well?

The final Y adds four points to every word before a single bonus square. That pushes the average to 12.9, and 50 of the 92 matches reach at least 13 points. Dozily tops the table on 19, drekky follows on 18, and deejay, desoxy and djinny tie on 17.

How do the -LY endings shape the list?

31 matches end -LY, which is why the group reads like a dictionary of manner adverbs: deeply, deadly, dearly, doubly, darkly and deftly are the everyday ones, while drably, drolly and dernly slide into rarity. The other 61 vary the letter in position five, as in drafty, drowsy and dinghy.

R leads the second letters at 26, which is why drafty, dreamy, dreary, drowsy and droopy all share the DR- opening. E and I follow on 17 each. Only two matches hold a Z or X, so spotting one of those tiles points straight at dozily or desoxy.

Let the last Y do the work