6-letter words with R as the 1st letter and A as the 6th letter

The pattern is R _ _ _ _ A: R is fixed at the front and A closes every entry. The matches range from familiar RETINA and RUSSIA to less everyday forms such as RADULA and RUGOSA. Just three entries are common, so a pattern match does not automatically mean a familiar word or a safe game play.

The R-to-A pattern at a glance

• Exactly 30 tournament-dictionary entries fit R _ _ _ _ A.
• Collins accepts 29; NWL2023 accepts 23, while ENABLE includes 16.
• RETINA, RUSSIA, and RAMADA are recognizable examples; only three matches are common.
• RAZZIA leads the score list at 24 points, followed by RHANJA at 16.
• The set has definitions for 26 entries, though dictionary coverage varies by game.

Why are there only 30 matches?

Only 30 R-first, A-final entries make the cut, fewer than the comparable C _ _ _ _ A pattern with 90 and S _ _ _ _ A with 78. That contrast makes the opening letter the tighter constraint here: the shared final A does not keep the R pattern broad.

Dictionary coverage also shifts with the game. Collins includes 29 matches, NWL2023 has 23, and ENABLE has 16; these groups overlap, so adding them would exaggerate the total. For tournament play, check less familiar choices such as REGULA or ROSULA in the word list your game uses.

Which matches score the most in Scrabble?

RAZZIA scores 24 points, ahead of RHANJA at 16 and RHUMBA at 13. The pair of Z tiles gives RAZZIA its edge; protect those letters and look for a strong board placement instead of spending a premium square on an ordinary tile.

RAFFIA scores 12 and RAPHIA scores 11, giving you options below the top two. Familiarity and score pull in different directions: RETINA is recognizable, while the rare-letter choices lead the scoring table.

For 6-letter words with R as the 1st letter and A as the 6th letter, treat RAZZIA as the premium-tile play and RETINA as a familiar fallback. Only three entries are common, so confirm obscure plays before relying on them.