7-letter words with Z as the 1st letter and A as the 7th letter

The matching words all begin with Z and end with A, but the dictionary counts differ: Collins lists 17, while ENABLE and NWL2023 each list 10. None reaches the common-word frequency cutoff. Expect an unusual rack rather than familiar everyday vocabulary, with ZYZZYVA standing far above the rest on score.

Quick facts about this Z–A pattern

• Collins accepts 17 matches; ENABLE and NWL2023 each list 10.
• None of the matches ranks among the top 25,000 English words by frequency.
• ZYZZYVA leads the Scrabble scores at 43 points; ZIZANIA follows at 25.
• The average score across the matches is 20.7 points.

Which Z–A word scores highest?

ZYZZYVA is the clear scoring standout at 43 Scrabble points, while ZIZANIA earns 25 and ZAKUSKA earns 24. ZELKOVA reaches 23, so the top four scores are tightly grouped after the leader.

The Z is the scoring engine in these examples, not the final A. Keep ZYZZYVA in mind when a premium letter square is available, but do not burn a promising placement just to force an unfamiliar word onto the board.

• ZYZZYVA scores 43 points.
• ZIZANIA scores 25 points.
• ZAKUSKA scores 24 points.

How does this Z–A pattern compare?

Only 17 words fit this exact Z-first, A-last pattern. For contrast, 78 seven-letter words start with Z and end in S, and 104 start with A and end in A. The A ending is possible with Z, but this particular pairing is much narrower.

ZENAIDA, ZELKOVA, ZEBRINA, and ZORILLA show the range of spellings in the group. With zero common matches, recognition is a real limitation; check your game's dictionary before relying on an unfamiliar entry. The 7-letter words with Z as the 1st letter and A as the 7th letter are better treated as a pattern-solving shortlist than everyday vocabulary.

• This exact pattern has 17 matches.
• Z-first, S-last has 78 matches.
• A-first, A-last has 104 matches.