Understanding Word Lists: ENABLE & OWL
Dive into the foundational dictionaries that power your favorite word games. Knowing your word list is key to mastering strategy!
The ENABLE Word List
ENABLE stands for the Enhanced North American Benchmark LExicon. It is a widely recognized and significant word list, primarily known for being the original dictionary used in the popular online game, Words with Friends.
Key Characteristics of ENABLE:
- Origin and Purpose: ENABLE was initially created as a comprehensive reference guide for Scrabble players. It was developed by Alan Beale and M. Cooper.
- Public Domain: A crucial aspect of ENABLE is that it was explicitly placed into the Public Domain. This means it is freely available for anyone to use, distribute, and modify without any fees or registration requirements. This open licensing has contributed to its widespread adoption in various word-related applications.
- Size: The ENABLE word list contains over 172,000 English words, offering a robust vocabulary for general word-finding and game play.
- Words with Friends Connection: While Words with Friends initially adopted ENABLE, it's important to note that the game's current word list is a slightly modified variant. These modifications often include the removal of certain expletives and the addition of some newer words, distinguishing it slightly from the original public domain ENABLE list.
- General Use: Due to its public domain status and comprehensive nature, ENABLE remains a popular choice for developers building word games, spell checkers, and other linguistic tools.
The OWL Word List (NASPA Word List / NWL)
The OWL, or Official Tournament and Club Word List, is the official word authority for competitive tournament Scrabble in the USA and Canada. It is now officially known as the NASPA Word List (NWL) and was previously referred to as OTCWL or TWL.
Key Characteristics of OWL (NWL):
- Official Tournament Standard: NWL is the definitive word list used in North American competitive Scrabble tournaments, overseen by NASPA Games (North American Scrabble Players Association).
- Origin and Evolution: The first edition of OWL was introduced in 1998. It was developed to provide an unabridged and consistent word list for competitive play, especially as the Official Scrabble Player's Dictionary (OSPD) began to filter out potentially offensive words.
- Comprehensive Vocabulary: The NWL is significantly larger and more comprehensive than ENABLE. It includes a broader range of words, often extending to longer word lengths (e.g., up to nine or ten letters in later versions) that might not be found in more casual dictionaries.
- Updates: The NWL undergoes periodic updates (e.g., NWL2018, NWL2020) to incorporate new words from standard dictionaries and to reflect changes in acceptable vocabulary for competitive play. For instance, NWL2020 saw the removal of certain offensive slurs.
- Licensing: Unlike ENABLE, the OWL/NWL is copyrighted by NASPA in collaboration with Merriam-Webster. Its use is typically governed by specific licensing agreements, particularly for commercial applications.
Why Knowing Your Word List Matters
For Skrabbler users, understanding the differences between these word lists is crucial. When using our word finder or analyzing strategies, knowing which list applies to your game (e.g., Words with Friends vs. Tournament Scrabble) ensures you're getting the most accurate and relevant results.
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