100 Words That Start with X (With Meanings)

When you think of words starting with X, you might picture them as rare or complicated but they’re fascinating, unique, and often fun to learn. In this article, you’ll explore 100 words beginning with X, divided into categories by length and meaning. Each word comes with a quick definition to help you expand your vocabulary and discover some unusual gems!

Short X Words (2–4 Letters)

1. Xi – The 14th letter of the Greek alphabet.
2. Xu – A former Vietnamese monetary unit.
3. Xo – A term used in text as “hugs and kisses.”
4. Xis – Plural of the Greek letter xi.
5. Xyl – Prefix meaning “wood.”
6. Xat – Catalan for “chat.”
7. Xeb – Old word for a small ship.
8. Xii – Roman numeral for 12.
9. Xim – Slang abbreviation for “extreme.”
10. Xuq – Rare word meaning “a type of currency unit.”

Medium-Length Words (5–7 Letters)

11. Xenia – Hospitality shown to strangers in Greek culture.
12. Xerox – To copy or duplicate, from the brand name.
13. Xylem – Plant tissue that carries water and nutrients.
14. Xylic – Related to xylene, a chemical compound.
15. Xenon – A noble gas used in lights.
16. Xiphoid – Sword-shaped, often used in anatomy.
17. Xystus – A covered walkway in ancient Rome.
18. Xeroma – Abnormal dryness of the eye.
19. Xenial – Friendly relations between host and guest.
20. Xeransis – Drying up of biological tissue.

Long Words (8–12 Letters)

21. Xanthosis – Yellow discoloration of tissues.
22. Xerophily – Tolerance to dry conditions.
23. Xylophone – Musical instrument with wooden bars.
24. Xenocracy – Government by foreigners.
25. Xenophobe – One who fears or dislikes strangers.
26. Xenophile – Someone attracted to foreign cultures.
27. Xenogenic – Originating from outside the organism.
28. Xenoblast – Mineral crystal not aligned with its surroundings.
29. Xenolith – Rock fragment embedded in another type of rock.
30. Xenotropic – Virus that grows in species different from its origin.

Scientific & Technical Words

31. Xylitol – Sugar alcohol used as a sweetener.
32. Xylose – A sugar derived from wood.
33. Xanthate – A salt used in metallurgy.
34. Xanthic – Relating to yellow coloring.
35. Xenobiotic – Foreign chemical substance in an organism.
36. Xenogamy – Cross-pollination in plants.
37. Xenonarc – Arc lamp using xenon gas.
38. Xerotherm – Climate condition with high heat and dryness.
39. Xylograph – An engraving on wood.
40. Xylotomy – Cutting wood for microscopic study.

Rare & Unique X Words

41. Xiphosuran – Horseshoe crab.
42. Xylophagous – Feeding on wood.
43. Xenotransplant – Organ transplant from one species to another.
44. Xerothermic – Hot and dry climate conditions.
45. Xenogenesis – Birth of offspring different from the parent.
46. Xanthochroi – Light-skinned peoples.
47. Xenodochium – Hostel for strangers in ancient times.
48. Xanthophyll – Yellow pigment in plants.
49. Xenolithic – Containing foreign rock fragments.
50. Xiphosura – Ancient order of arthropods.

Extra Long X Words (13+ Letters)

51. Xenotransfusion – Blood transfusion between species.
52. Xerophthalmia – Eye dryness due to vitamin A deficiency.
53. Xenotransplantation – Transplantation of animal organs into humans.
54. Xanthochromism – Abnormal yellow pigmentation in animals.
55. Xerorehabilitation – Restoration in dry environments.
56. Xylophilousness – Fondness for wood.
57. Xenobiological – Related to alien or foreign life.
58. Xerodermatitis – Skin inflammation due to dryness.
59. Xylophonically – In the manner of a xylophone.
60. Xenoparasitism – Parasitism involving different host species.

Medical & Biological X Words

61. Xeroderma – Rough, dry skin.
62. Xanthoma – Fatty growth under the skin.
63. Xerarch – Plant succession in dry places.
64. Xerophyte – Plant adapted to dry climates.
65. Xerotic – Abnormally dry skin condition.
66. Xanthopsia – Visual disorder causing yellow-tinted vision.
67. Xeranthemum – A type of everlasting flower.
68. Xenarthra – Order of mammals including sloths and armadillos.
69. Xenotropic virus – Virus affecting species different from its host.
70. Xenobiology – Study of hypothetical alien life.

Cultural & Linguistic X Words

71. Xhosa – A Bantu language of South Africa.
72. Xiangqi – Chinese chess.
73. Xenodochy – Reception of strangers.
74. Xylocarp – Hard, woody fruit such as a coconut.
75. Xylography – Art of engraving on wood.
76. Xylotomous – Wood-boring (insects).
77. Xystarch – Superintendent of a Roman gymnasium.
78. Xenium – Gift given to guests.
79. Xenagogue – Guide or leader for strangers.
80. Xenelasia – Expulsion of foreigners (in ancient Sparta).

Descriptive & Adjective X Words

81. Xenodochial – Friendly to strangers.
82. Xanthous – Yellow or light-colored hair.
83. Xeroticus – Extremely dry in condition.
84. Xenophonic – Sounding foreign.
85. Xyloid – Wood-like.
86. Xerotic – Causing dryness.
87. Xenophobic – Fearful of foreigners.
88. Xylogenic – Produced from wood.
89. Xeric – Dry environment condition.
90. Xanthic acid – Chemical derived from yellow compounds.

Miscellaneous X Words

91. Xylidine – Any of six chemical compounds derived from xylene.
92. Xylocopa – Carpenter bee genus.
93. Xylenol – Chemical compound related to xylene.
94. Xenarthrous – Referring to a group of mammals with extra joints.
95. Xenogenesis – Generation of offspring different from parents.
96. Xerophylic – Thriving in dry conditions.
97. Xanthorrhiza – Woody plant also called yellowroot.
98. Xenagogue – Leader who guides strangers.
99. Xylotomist – Specialist in cutting wood samples.
100. Xeromorph – Plant adapted to arid environments.

Words that start with X may seem rare, but as you can see, they cover everything from science and medicine to culture and history. Expanding your vocabulary with these unusual terms can sharpen your language skills and spark curiosity about the diversity of words.

Share this list with fellow learners and challenge each other to use some of these unique “X” words in daily conversation!