7-letter words with D as the 2nd letter and P as the 4th letter

The pattern looks like _D_P___, and just 12 tournament-dictionary words fit it. Eleven begin with A, and EDAPHIC is the only match beginning with E. ADOPTED, ADAPTED, and ADAPTER are among the more recognizable options, but only 3 of the 12 meet the common-word cutoff.

The pattern at a glance

• Exactly 12 seven-letter words place D second and P fourth.
• ADOPTED and ADAPTED both start with A and end with D.
• EDAPHIC leads the Scrabble scores at 15 points.
• Four matches end in R, more than any other final letter.
• The average score across these words is 10.8 points.

How many 7-letter words have D second and P fourth?

There are 12 matches. Their first letters are strikingly uneven: 11 start with A, and only EDAPHIC starts with E. That makes the opening letter a quick filter when your rack or crossing tiles suggest a likely beginning.

The endings are less concentrated. Four words finish in R, including ADAPTER, ADAPTOR, and ADOPTER; two end in D, including ADOPTED and ADAPTED, and two end in E. A, C, S, and Y close one word each, so a final crossing tile can narrow the choices quickly.

Scores, familiar words, and a useful limit

EDAPHIC scores 15 points, ahead of ADEPTLY at 13. ADOPTED and ADAPTED each score 11, while ADAPTER, ADIPOSE, ADAPTOR, ADOPTER, and ADOPTEE score 10. If you are choosing between a common-looking play and a higher raw score, EDAPHIC is the standout—but its less familiar vocabulary can make it harder to spot.

Only 3 of these 12 entries qualify as common by word frequency, so the pattern is more useful for solving a tight rack than for studying everyday vocabulary. Eight entries have definitions. Check your game’s word list before playing an unfamiliar option, since Collins includes one more match than ENABLE or NWL2023.