Can anyone offer a reason why the word "pulverize" is not in the official Scrabble dictionary?

Question

Can anyone offer a reason why the word "pulverize" is not in the official Scrabble dictionary?

Answer 1

One of its definitions is slang, I wonder if that has something to do with it.

Answer 2

That is weird it is not listed.

Pulverize or pulverise is the english spelling is an amazing word.

Answer 3

Nothing I can think of. It's in the American Heritage and Merriam-Webster dictionaries (the widely used brands), so if it's not in yours, then Scrabble needs to get their act together.

It means "to reduce to fine particles," or "to defeat utterly," which anyone publishing a dictionary should know, since it's been in use since the 15th century.

Answer 4

More than 7 letters. You can't make it unless there is some letters of that word (in order) are put on the board.

Answer 5

It cannot be made.  You only get 7 letters, and this word has 9.  And besides that, there are no smaller words that can be made and then added to.

EDIT: Sarah L:  There would have to be 6 letters between the e and the s for it to work.  Possible, but highly unlikely with 4 players in a game.

By the way, we don't rely on only the Scrabble dictionary.  If it is in any dictionary we allow it.

Answer 6

That is interesting.  And it is a real word and it is not considered slang.  Possibly you have discovered an oversight.  Why not contact the Hasbro people and ask them?

Answer 7

The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary (or OSPD) only has words of 2-8 letters in length, plus their inflections.  This is because the most commonly played words in Scrabble are 8 letters or less (the 7 letters in your rack plus one on the board is a common limitation).  

Of course, building on a short word or two disconnected letters, you can make longer words, and for that reason, the National Scrabble Association sells a "Long Words" list.  I checked and PULVERIZE is in that list.   It takes "D, R and S" as "hooks" on the end.

If you need to do searches for words like this frequently, there are free word lookup and quizzing programs on the net.  I like zyzzyva (available at www.zyzzyva.net) the best.

Answer 8

How did you find that out?

Answer 9

I don't know but it is in the hyperdictionary

Definition:  

make into a powder by breaking up or cause to become dust

to reduce (as by crushing, beating, or grinding) to very small particles

Answer 10

In addition to the OSPD there is another book with longer words called, appropriately enough "Long Words."  The regular OSPD only has 7 and 8 letter words.  Pulverize has 9 letters and would be found in Long Words I'm sure.

Answer 11

Lionheart it can to be made. There can be partial letters on the board that you can use to help make the word. For example if you have help and size both going down, you can fill in the blanks with the rest of the letters.

h

e.......s

l.........i

pulverize

..........e