How many words end in OUS?

This page lists 1193 words ending in OUS, each with its Scrabble score.

Why are -OUS words useful?

Words ending in OUS are great for hooking onto existing tiles and pluralising or extending words already on the board.

Words Ending With OUS

All 1193 words in our dictionary that end in OUS, sorted by Scrabble score. Perfect for hooks and crossword clues.

1193 words · number = Scrabble score · sorted highest score first

zygodactylous32 ichthyophagous31 phycomycetous30 hemizygous28 heterozygous28 homozygous28 myrmecophilous28 chlorophyllous27 collenchymatous27 hyperfastidious27 myxedematous27 pachydermatous27 schizogonous27 ultrahazardous27 xylophagous27 anthropophagous26 excrementitious26 hyperconscious26 mycetophagous26 parenchymatous26 phytophagous26 basidiomycetous25 brachypterous25 campylotropous25 emphysematous25 exanthematous25 extemporaneous25 heterophyllous25 microphyllous25 nonhazardous25 polychotomous25 rhizomatous25 ambidextrous24 camphoraceous24 hematophagous24 hygrophilous24 kinkajous24 lymphomatous24 mycophagous24 myxomatous24 ovoviviparous24 polymorphous24 pseudomorphous24 quadrumanous24 zoophilous24 actinomycetous23 echinodermatous23 eczematous23 geosynchronous23 gymnospermous23 hemimetabolous23 hymenopterous23 hypercautious23 inefficacious23 overzealous23 pulchritudinous23 rendezvous23 superluxurious23 thermophilous23 xerophilous23 aquiferous22 coprophagous22 cryptogamous22 dizygous22 enantiomorphous22 epitheliomatous22 hazardous22 hypogynous22 kabeljous22 mesophyllous22 nickeliferous22 nonsynchronous22 polyphagous22 polystichous22 ascomycetous21 autochthonous21 circumfluous21 condylomatous21 contemporaneous21 coprophilous21 diamondiferous21 dicotyledonous21 disadvantageous21 efficacious21 entomophagous21 expeditious21 heterocystous21 holometabolous21 homophonous21 injudicious21 loquacious21 mischievous21 mycetomatous21 obsequious21 overanxious21 overfastidious21 overscrupulous21 oversuspicious21 perspicacious21 phosphorous21 polyonymous21 polyphonous21 sequacious21 subaqueous21 symphonious21 ubiquitous21 unfossiliferous21 vicissitudinous21 anthophilous20 asynchronous20 autocephalous20 azygous20 blasphemous20 cacophonous20 carboniferous20 carcajous20 cavernicolous20 champertous20 complicitous20 compunctious20 dichogamous20 entomophilous20 erythematous20 eurythermous20 frabjous20 gypsiferous20 homonymous20 medicamentous20 monadelphous20 necrophagous20 nonhomogeneous20 orchidaceous20 overambitious20 overconscious20 papilionaceous20 pseudonymous20 saprophagous20 superambitious20 terraqueous20 triquetrous20 umbelliferous20 unchivalrous20 amphibious19 anemophilous19 antituberculous19 calcifugous19 callipygous19 carcinomatous19 contradictious19 diathermanous19 dichotomous19 disharmonious19 exogamous19 fossiliferous19 graminivorous19 herbivorous19 hydrogenous19 incommodious19 inconspicuous19 inhomogeneous19 iniquitous19 judicious19 microvillous19 monophagous19 mucocutaneous19 nonaqueous19 nonfilamentous19 nonhomologous19 oligophagous19 overcredulous19 overobvious19 oversolicitous19 papillomatous19 peritrichous19 perjurious19 polygynous19 polypetalous19 saxicolous19 semiconscious19 splendiferous19 squamous19 subbituminous19 subcoriaceous19 synchronous19 tetradynamous19 trichotomous19 ultrafastidious19 vexatious19 angiospermous18 bijugous18 calciferous18 cantankerous18 carbonaceous18 chivalrous18 cleistogamous18 collembolous18 compendious18 contemptuous18 contumacious18 cruciferous18 cupriferous18 deuteranomalous18 diadelphous18 dimorphous18 fibromatous18 flexuous18 frugivorous18 hebetudinous18 hematogenous18 hemipterous18 heterogamous18 heteropterous18 heterosporous18 homogamous18 homopterous18 homosporous18 hypogeous18 insectivorous18 isomorphous18 lepidopterous18 macropterous18 metalliferous18 microsporous18 myelomatous18 nonfrivolous18 noninfectious18 nonmonogamous18 obnoxious18 pectinaceous18 piscivorous18 polygamous18 precancerous18 preconscious18 presumptuous18 prolegomenous18 querulous18 rambunctious18 semiautonomous18 semiprecious18 steatopygous18 subconscious18 supposititious18 sympetalous18 synonymous18 tuffaceous18 viruliferous18 viviparous18 vociferous18 xanthous18 zincous18 acephalous17 advantageous17 amentiferous17 argentiferous17 atheromatous17 bibliolatrous17 calcicolous17 chymous17 commodious17 consanguineous17 conscientious17 conspicuous17 curvaceous17 curvacious17 declivitous17 dexterous17 diatomaceous17 epiphanous17 eximious17 exogenous17 extraneous17 ferriferous17 floriferous17 gamopetalous17 garnetiferous17 herbaceous17 heteroecious17 heterogeneous17 heteronomous17 homogeneous17 impecunious17 impervious17 impetiginous17 infelicitous17 inharmonious17 luminiferous17 microporous17 miscellaneous17 mucilaginous17 multifarious17 multireligious17 myelogenous17 nonambiguous17 nonsimultaneous17 officious17 opprobrious17 orthotropous17 overcautious17 overingenious17 paronymous17 perspicuous17 polyandrous17 polysemous17 porcellaneous17 posthumous17 precipitous17 primiparous17 prognathous17 promiscuous17 proteinaceous17 pusillanimous17 sanctimonious17 sapajous17 scrumptious17 seminiferous17 socioreligious17 soporiferous17 stercoraceous17 subreptitious17 succedaneous17 supercautious17 syncarpous17 ultraglamorous17 unadventurous17 unceremonious17 unfrivolous17 vivacious17 acajous16 adventitious16 amorphous16 anachronous16 androgynous16 anfractuous16 anhydrous16 aphthous16 aqueous16 arteriovenous16 bonhomous16 cadaverous16 capricious16 carnivorous16 cartilaginous16 catadromous16 cementitious16 chancrous16 coleopterous16 conterminous16 contumelious16 decapodous16 dextrous16 diaphanous16 discontinuous16 distichous16 duplicitous16 eponymous16 exiguous16 fantabulous16 farinaceous16 filamentous16 fissiparous16 gametogenous16 granulomatous16 heterogenous16 heterologous16 homogenous16 homologous16 inauspicious16 injurious16 intracutaneous16 isochronous16 joyous16 lactiferous16 luxurious16 magnanimous16 mellifluous16 membranous16 meretricious16 monogynous16 multitudinous16 myomatous16 noncancerous16 nonconscious16 noncontagious16 noncontiguous16 nonleguminous16 nonvenomous16 obstreperous16 omnifarious16 overgenerous16 ozonous16 parsimonious16 percutaneous16 perfidious16 perigynous16 pertinacious16 pestiferous16 platitudinous16 plenitudinous16 polyestrous16 porcelaneous16 precocious16 preposterous16 rectitudinous16 semireligious16 serendipitous16 slaughterous16 somniferous16 stoloniferous16 subcutaneous16 sudoriferous16 sulphureous16 supercilious16 superfluous16 suppositious16 transcutaneous16 transpicuous16 treacherous16 unambiguous16 unfastidious16 unpropitious16 unprosperous16 unscrupulous16 unsuspicious16 vainglorious16 wamefous16 zealous16 acrimonious15 adscititious15 adventurous15 antonymous15 argillaceous15 avaricious15 bijous15 bumptious15 cankerous15 capacious15 cataractous15 ceremonious15 chromous15 chylous15 coniferous15 consentaneous15 coterminous15 crustaceous15 didymous15 discourteous15 disputatious15 drupaceous15 enterocoelous15 epigynous15 euphonious15 factitious15 fallacious15 farraginous15 felicitous15 ferruginous15 fictitious15 foliaceous15 foraminous15 frivolous15 froufrous15 fugacious15 gallinaceous15 granivorous15 gynandrous15 harmonious15 heliolatrous15 hellacious15 humongous15 humungous15 infectious15 interreligious15 lascivious15 lepromatous15 luciferous15 marvellous15 mendacious15 micaceous15 monogamous15 multiparous15 mysterious15 nidifugous15 nonautonomous15 noncontinuous15 nonglamorous15 nongregarious15 nonindigenous15 nonnitrogenous15 nonobvious15 nonviscous15 odoriferous15 olivaceous15 omnivorous15 pediculous15 pentamerous15 polypous15 pomaceous15 predaceous15 predacious15 pugnacious15 pumiceous15 punctilious15 rampageous15 rumbustious15 sacrilegious15 salutiferous15 saponaceous15 sarcomatous15 scoriaceous15 scrofulous15 seleniferous15 sphagnous15 subterraneous15 sulphurous15 superstitious15 surreptitious15 tempestuous15 theonomous15 titaniferous15 trichinous15 tuberculous15 typhous15 ultracautious15 umbrageous15 unambitious15 unconscious15 uncontentious15 uncourageous15 unhumorous15 unmalicious15 unpretentious15 unrighteous15 uxorious15 vertiginous15 victorious15 violaceous15 voluminous15 voluptuous15 abstemious14 adenomatous14 albuminous14 ambiguous14 angiomatous14 anisogamous14 anonymous14 antireligious14 anxious14 apogamous14 aposporous14 auspicious14 bituminous14 bodacious14 burglarious14 cachous14 calamitous14 calcareous14 calumnious14 cancellous14 cavernous14 ceruminous14 chitinous14 circuitous14 collagenous14 congenerous14 coriaceous14 coypous14 crankous14 cumbrous14 diadromous14 disingenuous14 endogamous14 ericaceous14 facetious14 fashious14 fastidious14 ferocious14 feverous14 flagitious14 flirtatious14 fractious14 fructuous14 fuliginous14 gummatous14 gypseous14 halogenous14 horrendous14 hydrous14 ignominious14 incongruous14 incredulous14 insalubrious14 intravenous14 jealous14 keratinous14 lecherous14 lichenous14 ligamentous14 lipomatous14 lubricious14 marvelous14 meticulous14 miraculous14 monoecious14 neuropterous14 nonpoisonous14 nonunanimous14 noxious14 oblivious14 overserious14 oviparous14 pernicious14 plumbous14 precarious14 prestigious14 prodigious14 propitious14 prosperous14 saphenous14 scirrhous14 scrupulous14 semilustrous14 serpiginous14 simultaneous14 slumberous14 splendorous14 sporogenous14 suspicious14 tendencious14 thunderous14 tufaceous14 uncensorious14 unglamorous14 unmelodious14 unostentatious14 veracious14 verminous14 vicarious14 vinaceous14 viraginous14 voracious14 abstentious13 allogamous13 altitudinous13 ambitious13 anadromous13 arenicolous13 armigerous13 atrabilious13 auriferous13 autogamous13 barbarous13 bigamous13 butyrous13 caducous13 calculous13 caliginous13 cancerous13 cetaceous13 chlorous13 clamorous13 clangorous13 cobaltous13 coccous13 conscious13 contagious13 contentious13 contiguous13 contrarious13 coumarous13 courageous13 covetous13 crapulous13 criminous13 cymous13 deciduous13 despiteous13 dispiteous13 fabulous13 factious13 fortuitous13 fulgurous13 fulvous13 glamourous13 gramineous13 hamulous13 humorous13 ichorous13 imperious13 impetuous13 indecorous13 infamous13 instantaneous13 invidious13 leguminous13 libidinous13 longevous13 lubricous13 lugubrious13 malicious13 malodorous13 mercurous13 meritorious13 migrainous13 momentous13 monecious13 mountainous13 murmurous13 necessitous13 nidicolous13 nonferrous13 nonluminous13 nonnutritious13 nonreligious13 nulliparous13 ocherous13 ochreous13 pappous13 pellagrous13 pervious13 plunderous13 pluvious13 pompous13 pretentious13 previous13 pyritous13 rapacious13 repetitious13 ridiculous13 righteous13 sajous13 scandalous13 sebaceous13 slumbrous13 solanaceous13 splendrous13 spontaneous13 struthious13 stupendous13 sumptuous13 temerarious13 terricolous13 tetramerous13 tremendous13 unfamous13 ungracious13 vagarious13 vaporous13 venomous13 verdurous13 villainous13 viperous13 vomitous13 acarpous12 acidulous12 alacritous12 alliaceous12 anasarcous12 anatropous12 arenaceous12 audacious12 autoecious12 autonomous12 autotomous12 battailous12 bibulous12 bimanous12 biogenous12 biparous12 biramous12 blusterous12 boisterous12 captious12 caribous12 censorious12 coetaneous12 congruous12 continuous12 couscous12 credulous12 cribrous12 croupous12 cumulous12 cupreous12 deleterious12 delicious12 diclinous12 digamous12 dioecious12 dipterous12 dissentious12 edematous12 endogenous12 epigonous12 eurokous12 felonious12 fibrous12 fistulous12 fuscous12 gangrenous12 gibbous12 glamorous12 gregarious12 grievous12 gummous12 hilarious12 imporous12 incautious12 incestuous12 indigenous12 industrious12 innumerous12 irreligious12 isogamous12 licentious12 ludicrous12 manganous12 marabous12 meandrous12 melodious12 monestrous12 monotonous12 mucinous12 murderous12 muticous12 nefarious12 nitrogenous12 obvious12 ochrous12 oleoresinous12 ostentatious12 palladous12 pendulous12 poaceous12 ponderous12 populous12 portentous12 precious12 racemous12 rebellious12 rivalrous12 robustious12 sagacious12 salubrious12 sanguineous12 scabious12 scabrous12 scurrilous12 solicitous12 sombrous12 spacious12 specious12 spermous12 spirituous12 sulfurous12 tautologous12 tendentious12 tenebrious12 terrigenous12 testaceous12 trappous12 tumultuous12 tyrannous12 ultraserious12 unenvious12 unreligious12 uproarious12 vacuous12 vanadous12 venturous12 vicious12 vigorous12 viscous12 vulturous12 wondrous12 adulterous11 aduncous11 aluminous11 anomalous11 apetalous11 arboreous11 atrocious11 autogenous11 autologous11 awmous11 bayous11 beauteous11 boubous11 bounteous11 brumous11 bulbous11 cinereous11 copious11 cormous11 courteous11 cretinous11 cuprous11 cutaneous11 dangerous11 decorous11 devious11 diecious11 dimerous11 dioicous11 disastrous11 edacious11 edentulous11 egregious11 elytrous11 epigeous11 famous11 fastuous11 ferreous11 fucous11 fungous11 gelatinous11 glabrous11 glaucous11 gluttonous11 gracious11 gratuitous11 hideous11 hugeous11 idolatrous11 illustrious11 impious11 incurious11 inglorious11 innocuous11 laborious11 languorous11 lanuginous11 larcenous11 libellous11 malarious11 monstrous11 nectarous11 nongaseous11 nonporous11 nonsensuous11 oleaginous11 oogamous11 outrageous11 penurious11 piceous11 plenteous11 poisonous11 poyous11 pulpous11 rancorous11 rapturous11 ravenous11 rosaceous11 salacious11 savorous11 sententious11 sericeous11 setaceous11 siliceous11 silicious11 slanderous11 sorcerous11 spiritous11 spumous11 stridulous11 stuporous11 tenacious11 tendrilous11 tenebrous11 thallous11 tremulous11 trimerous11 troublous11 unanimous11 uncurious11 ungenerous11 untimeous11 valorous11 venulous11 virtuous11 vitreous11 acaulous10 adipous10 agamous10 amadous10 analogous10 apodous10 apterous10 araceous10 arborous10 assiduous10 astomous10 canorous10 cautious10 cernuous10 citreous10 comous10 congous10 corneous10 delirious10 dentulous10 diestrous10 dubious10 enormous10 envious10 erogenous10 fatuous10 ferrous10 folious10 furious10 garrulous10 globous10 glutenous10 glutinous10 gorgeous10 grumous10 heinous10 ingenious10 ingenuous10 insidious10 lacteous10 laminous10 libelous10 litigious10 luminous10 luscious10 manitous10 melanous10 mucous10 mutinous10 nacreous10 nebulous10 nervous10 niveous10 nonserious10 nubilous10 numerous10 numinous10 nutritious10 patulous10 perilous10 petalous10 ramulous10 religious10 roisterous10 ructious10 sabulous10 saporous10 scarious10 sclerous10 seditious10 sepalous10 serotinous10 sinistrous10 spurious10 stertorous10 strumous10 suberous10 tendinous10 timorous10 tinamous10 traitorous10 treasonous10 tuberous10 tubulous10 tumorous10 tumulous10 turacous10 ulcerous10 unctuous10 various10 villous10 acerous9 acetous9 acinous9 amorous9 anestrous9 anginous9 angulous9 arsenious9 bilious9 bullous9 burnous9 callous9 carious9 caseous9 cirrous9 citrous9 curious9 desirous9 dolorous9 emulous9 enginous9 erroneous9 generous9 glorious9 goitrous9 griseous9 idoneous9 leprous9 ligneous9 nimious9 niobous9 nocuous9 nodulous9 notorious9 ominous9 orgulous9 osmious9 parlous9 petrous9 pileous9 piteous9 raucous9 rigorous9 rubious9 rufous9 sarcous9 sedulous9 simious9 spinous9 strenuous9 studious9 susurrous9 talcous9 timeous9 torturous9 unserious9 uveous9 venous9 vinous9 anserous8 arduous8 arsenous8 arsonous8 cerous8 duteous8 gallous8 gaseous8 igneous8 lupous8 lustrous8 miaous8 nauseous8 odorous8 oestrous8 osmous8 parous8 pilous8 porous8 ramous8 resinous8 rimous8 rosinous8 selenous8 sensuous8 setulous8 sonorous8 stannous8 stratous8 tedious8 thous8 titanous8 tortious8 tortuous8 usurious8 aeneous7 anurous7 arenous7 estrous7 iodous7 luteous7 meous7 nitrous7 nodous7 odious7 onerous7 osseous7 pious7 riotous7 rugous7 ruinous7 sanious7 serious7 sinuous7 tenuous7 uranous7 urinous7 aurous6 serous6 setous6 torous6 nous4 sous4

Hooking with -OUS words

Endings like -OUS let you tack a word onto a tile already on the board, often turning a small play into a big one. Look for the high-value entries above to maximise points.

This list by the numbers

Inside this list: 1193 words spanning 4–15 letters. The biggest cluster sits at 10 letters (224 words), 3 entries are Wordle-sized at five letters, and 114 run to seven — bingo length if you can empty the rack. For points, the ceiling is ZYGODACTYLOUS, worth 32.

Chasing points? The best five entries here are ZYGODACTYLOUS (32), ICHTHYOPHAGOUS (31), PHYCOMYCETOUS (30), HEMIZYGOUS (28), HETEROZYGOUS (28). At 15 letters, ANTHROPOPHAGOUS is the longest word on the list; a typical entry scores around 14. If you are fishing for these words, keep U (1193 appearances), S (1193) and O (1193) on your rack.

Three words worth learning first

NOUS earns 4 points from just 4 tiles — and it is a word few opponents will bother to challenge.
When the rack looks hopeless, SOUS (4 letters, 4 points) is the kind of quiet play that keeps a game moving.
AUROUS — 6 letters for 6 points; every tile in it is a common draw, so it shows up rack after rack.

Round out your set with SEROUS (6), SETOUS (6), TOROUS (6), IODOUS (7), NODOUS (7) — all built from common tiles.

Why -OUS endings win turns

A reliable habit: every time you learn a new -OUS word, note whether it also takes a front extension. Words that extend at both ends are the ones that turn a 12-point play into a 40-point one, because you can bridge two premium squares. The top of this list — sorted by score — is where those double-duty words hide.

More endings

Narrow it down

Pair an ending with a length or starting letter in the Word Finder.