6-letter words with F as the 5th letter and F as the 6th letter

This is the only six-letter shape in which F fills both final slots, so every match ends in FF. Fourteen of the 29 close in -OFF, from RUNOFF and PAYOFF to LOGOFF and TIPOFF. S opens nine matches, and SQUIFF leads the scores at 21.

6-letter words with F as the 5th letter and F as the 6th letter

• All 29 matches end in the doubled FF.
• Fourteen of them close in -OFF, from RUNOFF and PAYOFF to SETOFF and TIPOFF.
• S opens nine matches, the largest first-letter group.
• SQUIFF tops the scores at 21; FLYOFF follows on 18.
• Four matches are common: CUTOFF, PAYOFF, RUNOFF and TARIFF.

Which of the FF words score best?

SQUIFF reaches 21 on a Q, three clear of FLYOFF at 18. PAYOFF, BUYOFF and CHAUFF then share 17, while BEPUFF and SKLIFF sit on 16. The doubled F guarantees eight points before any other tile is counted, so even the filler words score well.

The -OFF compounds are the useful half: CUTOFF, PAYOFF, RUNOFF and TARIFF are all common, and LAYOFF, RIPOFF, TIPOFF and SETOFF are close behind. Most of them put a verb or noun before the -OFF tail, which makes them easy to remember once the ending is fixed. That tail is also the safest guess when only the final two letters are known.

Where the F-F shape gets thin

Outside the -OFF group the list turns obscure quickly. GONIFF, PILAFF, SCLIFF, SKLIFF, STRAFF and CHAUFF are Collins-only spellings, and SQUIFF, REBUFF, SCRUFF, SPLIFF and UNCUFF are the friendlier remainder. Few of those would turn up in a casual clue.

Check your word list before you play the narrow ones, because DECAFF, CHAUFF and SKLIFF rest outside ENABLE. S is the opening to try first, since it starts nine matches, and the -OFF tail is the strongest single ending to test.