THINK ZINK

This metallic element is a high scoring one for scrabble. It also has some variant spellings which can be useful. But be careful because there is one option that is not there, even though logically you would think it was OK.

The spellings of both ZINC and ZINK are allowed

You can work with this element as a verb using both options so ZINCED, ZINCING, ZINKED and ZINKING are all good. In fact when using it as a verb you can also include both C and K, So, although zinck is no good by itself you are allowed ZINCKED and ZINCKING.

The same thing applies to when it is used as an adjective. ZINCY, ZINKY, ZINCKY, ZINCIER, ZINKIER, ZINCKIER, ZINCIEST, ZINKIEST and ZINCKIEST are all good.

You are also allowed ZINCIFY, ZINKIFY and ZINCKIFY and all the extensions to those of ZINCIFIED, ZINKIFIED, ZINCKIFIED, ZINCIFYING, ZINKIFYING and ZINCKIFYING.

The only exception seems to be when you take ZINC away from something. DEZINC is fine and when used as a verb you can add the K for DEZINCKED, but the single K option is missing. So dezink or dezinked are no good. There is no point in asking why not. Our dictionary will never be perfect. There will always be some anomalies.

There is another anagram to ZINKED even though dezink is not allowed. ZENDIK is an Arabic name for an atheist.

ZINKE is also allowed. It is an old wind instrument like a cornet.

Other words in this category that are worth trying to remember are all just with the C option, no K or CK involved:

ZINCO

ZINCIC

ZINCATE

ZINCODE

ZINCOID

ZINCOUS

Happy Scrabbling

Patrick