6-letter words with S as the 4th letter and L as the 6th letter

The pattern is _ _ _ S _ L: S sits fourth and L closes each word. Collins accepts 63 matches, while NWL2023 accepts 44 and ENABLE accepts 42, so the same clue produces different playable lists by region. Familiar options include VESSEL, DIESEL, FOSSIL and WEASEL, but only 8 entries rank among the top 25,000 English words by frequency.

The pattern at a glance

• Collins includes 63 six-letter matches for _ _ _ S _ L.
• NWL2023 includes 44 matches; ENABLE includes 42.
• Only 8 matches meet our common-word frequency cutoff.
• HAYSEL leads the score ranking at 12 points.
• The average score across these words is 7.9 points.

Which 6-letter words with S fourth and L sixth stand out?

Familiar nouns make an easy first scan: VESSEL, DIESEL, FOSSIL, WEASEL and CHISEL all fit. CONSUL, DORSAL and CAUSAL show that the same fixed positions also catch less obvious vocabulary. Check the last two slots carefully before crossing off a candidate.

T is the most common starting letter, with 11 matches. C and D each start 8, while M and P each start 6. That distribution is a better shortlist than starting with S, since the S belongs in position four.

Scores and dictionary differences

The average score is 7.9 points, but HAYSEL leads at 12. CHISEL, CHESIL, BYSSAL and CRESYL each score 11. A familiar answer does not necessarily lead the rack: VESSEL scores 9, three points below HAYSEL.

Collins has 63 matches, compared with 44 in NWL2023 and 42 in ENABLE. That gap matters in cross-dictionary play: a Collins-valid answer is not automatically accepted in a North American or ENABLE-based game. Check your game's word list before committing to an unfamiliar entry.