Word Frequency

Definition

Word frequency measures how often a word appears in real usage. Answer lists tend to favour reasonably common words, so frequency can help you rank candidates by likelihood.

Why it matters

When several candidates fit your clues, the more common word is usually the better bet, especially for daily answers.

Examples

• MOUSE is more likely than the rarer MOUSY.
• STARE outranks the obscure SATEM as a probable answer.

Best practices

• Prefer common candidates when tied on information.
• Reserve obscure words for when clues demand them.

Frequently asked