6-letter words with L as the 1st letter and H as the 4th letter

The pattern is L _ _ H _ _, so keep the fourth position fixed while testing the other four letters. LIGHTS and LETHAL show how different the results can look: one is a familiar plural, the other a sharp word-game candidate. Only three matches rank among the most common English words, so expect plenty of specialist vocabulary.

At a glance: the L _ _ H _ _ pattern

• There are 42 six-letter matches across tournament dictionaries.
• Collins accepts 41, NWL2023 accepts 34, and ENABLE accepts 31.
• Only three matches rank among the most common English words; 36 have definitions.
• S is the most frequent final letter, appearing on 16 matches.
• LYCHEE, LECHWE, and LYCHES lead the listed Scrabble scores at 14 points each.

Which 6-letter words have L first and H fourth?

LIGHTS makes the pattern easy to see: L comes first, H fourth, and the remaining letters fill the open slots. LASHES and LASHED offer another recognizable pair, while LATHER and LATHES show how a small change at the end creates a different word.

For a tricky rack or letter clue, keep the positions separate from the spelling you already know. LICHEN and LITHIC both fit, but their second and third letters differ; LYCHES is another candidate if Y is available. Checking the fixed H before rearranging the other tiles cuts down on false matches.

What scores well, and what should you watch for?

LYCHEE, LECHWE, and LYCHES each score 14 points before board bonuses. LUSHLY, LECHED, LINHAY, and LYTHES follow at 12, so the best choice depends on both your rack and the open premium squares. LICHEN and LITHIC score 11 apiece.

The main limitation is familiarity: only three entries are common, so a plausible-looking candidate may not be accepted in every game. Dictionary coverage differs, with Collins accepting more of these matches than NWL2023 or ENABLE. Check your game's word list when a less familiar choice matters.