6-letter words with G as the 1st letter and D as the 4th letter

This is the most everyday G-first frame, with 11 common matches: GARDEN, GOLDEN, GENDER, GRADES, GUIDED, GUIDES, GLADLY, GRADER, GLIDER, GANDER and GIRDLE. The scores stay low, averaging 9.2 points, and the endings are spread evenly rather than clustering. D and R each close 12 matches, with S on 10.

6-letter words with G as the 1st letter and D as the 4th letter

• Fifty-nine matches open with G and hold D in the fourth slot.
• Eleven matches are common, the highest share among the G-first frames.
• Twelve matches end in D and 12 in R, while S ends 10.
• GOODBY and GWEDUC lead the scores at just 13 points.
• The set averages 9.2 points, so no heavy tiles are involved.

Which matches are easiest to play?

The strength here is familiarity rather than score. GARDEN, GOLDEN, GENDER, GRADES, GUIDED, GUIDES and GLADLY are all common, and GRADER, GLIDER, GANDER and GIRDLE round out the everyday group. Eleven agent nouns end in -ER, from GRADER and GLIDER to GELDER and GILDER.

Scoring is modest: GOODBY and GWEDUC top out at 13, followed by GIDDAY and GRYDED on 12. The low average of 9.2 reflects a set with few J, Q, X or Z tiles. A crossword that gives G as the opener and D as the fourth letter usually wants a plain noun rather than a rare one.

How the G-D frame scales

At five letters the same frame holds 35 words, and at seven it holds 99, so the six-letter version is the smallest. That growth is driven by -ER agent nouns and past-tense forms such as GADDED, GILDED and GOADED. The six-letter set still holds the friendliest vocabulary of the trio.

Confirm each rare entry in your word list first, because GYLDEN, GOWDER, GUDDLE and GLEDGE are Collins-only. The everyday core is large enough that most clues can be answered without them.