Word Pattern Matcher

About this tool

Word Pattern Matcher searches its built-in English word list for words matching a pattern. A question mark represents exactly one character and an asterisk represents any sequence of characters; the pattern is matched against the entire word, ignoring case. For example, ?a?e matches four-letter words such as care, name and take, while c*t matches cat, cut, cent and cost. The list is small: about 290 common English words of two to six letters, so longer, obscure, inflected, hyphenated, or proper-name entries are absent and many patterns return few or no matches. Results are sorted shortest first and can be copied as a comma-separated list. Use the result as a puzzle aid and check any answer against the dictionary or game rules you are using.

Why use it

• Instantly searches the built-in word list for pattern matches.

• Accepts ? for a single unknown letter and * for any sequence.

• Matches the whole word, so the pattern length controls the word length when you use only ?.

• Runs in your browser with no server round-trip.

• Helps with simple crossword or hangman fills when you know some letters.

• Helps build vocabulary by browsing words that share a structural shape.

How to use

1. Enter your word pattern using ? for one unknown letter and * for any run of letters (e.g. ?a?e or c*t).
2. Click Find Matches or press Enter.
3. Check the Matches count and scroll through the words, shortest first.
4. Click Copy Results to copy every match as a comma-separated list.
5. If nothing matches, loosen the pattern with * or try fewer fixed letters.

When it helps

• Filling in crossword puzzle blanks where some letters are known.
• Solving hangman or word-guessing games.
• Finding words with a shared ending (e.g. *ttle for battle, bottle, kettle, little).
• Exploring vocabulary for creative writing by browsing word shapes.
• Generating brand or domain names matching a specific letter shape.
• Educational exercises around prefixes, suffixes, or rhyming endings.

Examples

Tips

• For word games, type known letters in place and ? for each blank.
• Use ? rather than _ for unknown letters; an underscore is treated as a literal character and matches nothing.
• Try common letters (E, A, R, T) in unknown positions if you have not narrowed down likely letters.
• Endings: the pattern *ttle surfaces battle, bottle, cattle, kettle, little, nettle, rattle and settle.
• If you suspect a prefix like 'un-' or 'pre-', anchor it explicitly to dramatically reduce results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Glossary

Pattern

A template describing the shape of a word, with placeholders for unknown letters.

Wildcard

A character that stands for unknown letters: here ? stands for any single letter and * for any sequence of letters.

Prefix

A meaningful letter group at the start of a word (un-, pre-, re-).

Suffix

A meaningful letter group at the end of a word (-ing, -tion, -ness).

Crossword fill

Letters already placed in a crossword grid that constrain valid answers for crossing entries.

Hangman

A word-guessing game where players guess letters one at a time to fill in a hidden word before exhausting their attempts.