How the Spelling Bee Dictionary is Chosen

The most common annoyance in the Spelling Bee is finding a valid English words that the bee refuses to accept. Why do they take ' DECO ' and not ' DECOY ' ? (Okay, decoy is accepted, but you get the point!). The answer is the editorials philosophy of Sam Ezersky and the NYT team.

The “Common Usage” Filter

Unlike Scrabble, which uses a massive, all-inclusive dictionary, the Spelling Bee uses a curated list. The idea is to use terms that are " common " enough that most players will have heard of them , but still give a challenge . Technical medical terminology, odd botanical names and old slang generally get left on the cutting room floor. This rigorous selection process is why some players prefer to study our specialized scripps word lists for advanced practice.

The Problem of Consistency

Sometimes there are inconsistencies, as the lexicon is hand-curated. A term may be allowed one month and rejected the next if the editor thinks it’s too esoteric for that particular puzzle’s collection of letters. And this is what makes going through the archive so rewarding – you get to know the editor’s own tastes. You can see these trends for yourself by browsing the spelling bee archive.

Conclusion

So the next time the Spelling Bee tells you a perfectly good word is invalid, don't throw your phone across the room. Remember the common usage rule, the offensiveness filter, and the sheer challenge of curating a game for millions of people. And if you're ever stuck, just use our spelling bee solver to find the words the editors actually accepted!