7-letter words with O as the 1st letter and I as the 4th letter

This frame has more room than the narrow OI pattern: OFFICER, OPTIONS, OBVIOUS, OPTICAL and OPTIMUM all place I fourth. Eleven entries are common, giving a solid set of familiar checks among the longer tail. OBLIQUE and OXHIDES tie at 18 points for top base score.

At a glance for O-1st and I-4th

• There are 92 matches with O first and I fourth.
• OFFICER, OPTIONS and OPTICAL are familiar checks.
• S is the most frequent ending, with 41 entries.
• OBLIQUE and OXHIDES tie at 18 points.

A broad family with a concentrated ending

OFFICER, OFFICES and OBVIOUS contrast with OPTICAL, OPTIMUM and ORBITAL; the fixed positions allow several distinct stems. S closes 41 words, well ahead of T at 15 and E at eight.

OBLIQUE and OXHIDES share the leading score of 18, while OOZIEST reaches 16.

A rack-search tip

Separate the common shapes from score finds

Ninety-two matches average 10 points, with 11 in the common group. Start with ordinary candidates such as OPTIONS, OBVIOUS, OPTICAL and OMNIBUS, then switch to a score scan for OBLIQUE or OXHIDES.

The opening stems divide neatly for a manual scan. OFFICER and OFFICES begin OFF-, OPTIONS and OPTICAL begin OPT-, and ORBITAL gives an ORB- alternative.

S endings lead by a wide margin, yet the high scorers OBLIQUE and OXHIDES do not rely on that final letter. Separate pattern matching from score hunting to avoid overlooking them.

One limit: Collins accepts 90 of the 92 matches, NWL2023 only 65 and ENABLE 57. Collins-only entries such as OARIEST, OMNIANA and OIKISTS will be rejected in a North American game, so confirm your word list before you play one. The familiar OFF-, OPT- and ORB- words are safe almost everywhere.