6-letter words with K as the 1st letter and O as the 2nd letter

The fixed KO opening leaves a compact but varied group: KOALAS and KOSHER are recognizable, while KOLHOZ and KOPJES are less familiar. Just one entry counts as common by English word-frequency rankings, so expect plenty of specialist vocabulary. Dictionary coverage also varies, which matters if you are playing a tournament word game.

6-letter words with K as the 1st letter and O as the 2nd letter

• The pattern matches 58 words found in at least one tournament dictionary.
• Collins includes 56 matches; NWL2023 includes 31, and ENABLE includes 24.
• KOALAS, KOSHER, KOWTOW, and KOPECK are among the recognizable examples.
• 47 entries have definitions, while only one is classed as common.
• KOLKOZ leads the scoring list at 23 points; KOLHOZ follows at 22.

Which letters finish these KO words?

S is the leading final letter by a wide margin: 23 words end that way. Examples include KOALAS, KOPEKS, and KOFTAS, so checking the final S is a strong first filter when solving this pattern.

The next most frequent ending is I, with six matches. E and O each finish four words, while A and D each finish three. The remaining listed endings are R and U, with two matches apiece.

That spread makes an S-ending guess more productive than testing a rare final letter first. Still, the pattern includes singular forms such as KOSHER and KOWTOW, not just familiar plural-looking words.

Which K-O words score highest?

KOLKOZ is the top scorer at 23 points, with KOLHOZ close behind at 22. KOPJES scores 19, while KOPECK and KOKAKO each score 18. These are better score-focused candidates than everyday KOALAS.

The main limitation is playability: a word appearing in one tournament dictionary may not appear in another. Collins has 56 matches, compared with 31 in NWL2023 and 24 in ENABLE; check your game's word list once before relying on an unfamiliar entry.

For a practical shortlist, start with familiar words when recognition matters, then inspect the high scorers if the board rewards points. KOLKOZ and KOLHOZ are the standout scoring choices, but their unfamiliarity makes dictionary checks especially important.