Here’s a fun fact about the letter F: it carries a rather distinguished title! In addition to being the sixth letter in the alphabet, this consonant is also known as a labiodental fricative. While this sounds like a complicated term, the definition is simple: a labiodental fricative describes a sound that is made by placing your top teeth on your bottom lip. F and V are the only two letters in the alphabet that are distinct in this way.
The letter F is known as a “voiceless labiodental fricative” because you don’t use your voice to pronounce this letter — you rely only on the air coming through your lips. On the flip side, this is what makes V a “voiced” labiodental fricative; you must use your vocal cords to produce the buzzing sound associated with that consonant. (Try it!)
Now that you’ve been informed of the letter F’s lesser-known credential, it’s time for us to share with you the top ten words ending in F that you can use to boost your score while playing Last Letter First. This blog post follows on the heels of similar posts we’ve published listing high-scoring words that begin and end with certain letters (two examples are Words Starting with the Letter W and Epic Words Ending in C).
Play any of these ten words ending in F, and you may leave your opponents voiceless–like the authentic sound of F itself.
Top Ten Words Ending in F:
10. Snuff
The word “snuff” is commonly associated with candles and campfires. A verb, this word conveys the act of extinguishing a flame, and every time you use it, Smokey Bear gives a quiet nod of approval.
Example:
To prevent wildfires, we will snuff out the campfire with water.
S(1)+N(1)+U(1)+F(4)+F(4) = 11 Points
9. Muff
According to Meriam-Webster, “muff” is a “warm tubular covering for the hands.” While the muff is designed to keep your hands warm, it’s no surprise that it fell out of style rather quickly. It’s also worth noting that muff can be used as a verb to convey the awkward handling of a situation.
Examples:
I bought a faux fur muff for this year’s White Elephant Gift exchange.
I’m pretty sure I’ll muff the part if I forget my lines.
M(3)+U(1)+F(4)+F(4) = 12 Points
8. Puff
It seems only fitting for “puff” to appear on our top ten words ending in F list. Why? Because this word describes the act of releasing short, soft bursts of air that shape the voiceless F in words like “fluff” and “falafel.”
Example:
He stood in the doorway, took one last puff of his cigarette, and apologized for being late.
P(3)+U(1)+F(4)+F(4) = 12 Points
7. Cliff
Let’s leave it to none other than National Geographic to define a cliff: “a mass of rock that rises very high and is almost vertical, like a wall.” Depending on your sense of adventure (and how you respond to heights), standing on the edge of a cliff could be either frightening or exhilarating.
Example:
We traveled northward toward the cliff to take in the dramatic landscape.
C(3)+L(1)+I(1)+F(4)+F(4) = 13 Points
6. Bluff
Similar to a cliff, a bluff is a high, steep slope, but it’s usually wider and more rounded. This word can also suggest that someone is lying or being deceitful. “I’m calling your bluff” is a way to tell someone that you don’t believe something they’ve said or done.
Examples:
During our hike, we stopped at the bluff to hydrate and take some photographs.
I’m going to call your bluff because I don’t think you scored a perfect on the SATs.
B(3)+L(1)+U(1)+F(4)+F(4) = 13 Points
5. Wharf
A wharf is a useful structure situated in a harbor. The purpose of a wharf is to allow boats to dock and unload whatever it is they’re carrying.
Example:
The boat will dock at the wharf for a few days before traveling to its next destination.
W(4)+H(4)+A(1)+R(1)+F(4) = 14 Points
4. Skiff
Another word that’s associated with boats and water is “skiff.” This noun refers to a type of flat-bottomed, open boat typically powered by oars or sails. Less commonly, “skiff” can be used to describe a light dusting of snow.
Examples:
Hop aboard my skiff, and we’ll have a fun day out on the lake.
We got only a skiff of snow last night despite the meteorologist calling for more than two inches.
S(1)+K(5)+I(1)+F(4)+F(4) = 15 Points
3. Chaff
“Chaff” is used to define the protective seed casings (also known as husks) of dry plant material. Cereal grains and finely chopped straw are great examples of chaff.
Example:
The farmer threshed his wheat and composted the chaff.
C(3)+H(4)+A(1)+F(4)+F(4) = 16 Points
2. Whiff
To get a whiff of something is to smell it for a brief moment, usually as it passes you by. A whiff can be good or bad, faint or strong. You might appreciate the whiff of a fellow shopper’s perfume or a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies passing by. But a whiff of sewage or a person’s bad breath? Not so much.
Example:
Come over here and get a whiff of this scented candle I bought yesterday!
W(4)+H(4)+I(1)+F(4)+F(4) = 17 Points
1. Quaff
Like all the words ending in F on this list–well, double F, that is, except for “wharf”–“quaff” can help you rack up some double-digit points. This word is most often used as a verb that defines the act of drinking a beverage with gusto.
Example:
During halftime, the players huddled in the locker room to quaff Gatorade and recap the first half of the game.
Q(10)+U(1)+A(1)+F(4)+F(4) = 20 Points
Take Off Your Muff . . .
. . . just kidding. We know you’re not wearing an old-fashioned muff, especially if you’re ready to put your brain and fingers to work in a new round of Last Letter First! That said, we sure hope all these words ending in F will come in handy every time you join or begin a new round.
