Crossword Solver and Word Pattern Finder
Find words from a pattern. Use ? or _ for each unknown letter and * for any run of letters. Add letters the word must contain or must not contain.
Last checked 11/12/2026. Sources: ENABLE word list (172,823 words), as distributed by dolph/dictionary; SCOWL copyright file: the ENABLE master list was released into the public domain by its maintainer.
How these figures are checked. The word list and any other sourced figure link to where they come from and carry a last-checked date; our own rules of thumb are labelled as such. Run by JB, an independent publisher based in Australia. Spotted a mistake? Email hello@wordfig.com.
Guide
How the pattern finder works
Write the letters you know and mark each gap: C_T or C?T finds three-letter words that start with C and end with T, and S???? finds five-letter words that start with S. A * stands for any run of letters, including none, so AB*ING finds words that start with AB and end with ING.
For crosswords, enter the crossing letters you have and the number of gaps. To narrow a long list, add letters the answer must contain, or letters you know it does not contain.
About the word list
Results come from the open ENABLE word list. It holds standard words, so crossword answers that are names, phrases or very new words may not be in it. Tournament play in North America uses its own official lists, which are licensed and not included here. This tool uses the open ENABLE list, which is close to them but not identical, so a word can be valid in one and not the other.
Quick reference: pattern symbols
| Symbol | Meaning | Example | Finds |
|---|---|---|---|
| A letter | That exact letter | C_T | cat, cot, cut |
| ? or _ | Exactly one unknown letter | S???? | every five-letter word starting with S |
| * | Any run of letters, including none | AB*ING | abiding, abusing |
| Must contain | Keeps only words that include these letters | ?A?E with R | care, rare |
| Must not contain | Drops words that include these letters | S?A?E without H | scare, slate |
Common questions
What do ? and _ mean?
Each stands for exactly one unknown letter. Use as many as there are gaps.
What does * mean?
It stands for any run of letters, from none up to many. Use it when you do not know how many letters are missing.
Can it find phrases or names?
No. It searches single words in a standard word list, so phrases, abbreviations and most proper names will not appear.