6-letter words with L as the 2nd letter and I as the 5th letter

Lock in the pattern _L__I_ and the opening letter narrows the choices quickly: A starts 15 words, while C starts 11. Only six matches rank among the commonest English words, so familiar choices such as CLINIC stand out among many less familiar entries. The list combines words found in at least one tournament dictionary; it is not a promise that every game accepts every entry.

At a glance for the L-and-I pattern

• All 53 matches have L second and I fifth, forming the pattern _L__I_.
• A is the most frequent first letter, with 15 matches; C follows with 11.
• N ends 12 matches, ahead of S with 10 and A with eight.
• ALEXIC leads the listed Scrabble scores at 15 points.

Which words fit L second and I fifth?

Examples include CLINIC, ALBEIT, GLORIA, CLERIC, ELIXIR, ELICIT, and PLACID. Their first letters show the pattern’s uneven spread: A and C account for 26 of the 53 matches, while P and U begin only two each.

N is the most common ending, with FLORIN and GLOBIN as examples. S comes next, as in ALIBIS and GLACIS. Only one match ends in R.

When crossings point to N or S, test those endings before rarer alternatives. A and C together begin 26 of the 53 matches, while P and U begin only two each, so the opening tile also cuts the search sharply.

Which entries score well, and where should you check them?

ALEXIC scores 15 points, ahead of ELIXIR, ALEXIA, and ALEXIN at 13 each. That makes ALEXIC the standout score to check when the board leaves room for its letters; the pattern alone does not guarantee a scoring spot.

Dictionary coverage varies: 52 matches appear in Collins, 38 in NWL2023, and 36 in ENABLE. Those totals overlap, so do not add them. Only six matches are common, and Check your game’s word list before playing an unfamiliar entry.