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Koan

4 lettersnounrare

Updated June 2026

Definition

A paradoxical question or riddle used in Zen Buddhist practice to provoke deep reflection and expose the limits of logical reasoning.

β€œThe monk spent three months contemplating the koan his teacher had given him.”

Pronunciation

Syllables

koΒ·an

Related Words

Synonyms

Word Game Tips

🟩

Wordle

The OA vowel pair in the middle is distinctive, K-O-A-N has two vowels in positions two and three

πŸ”€

Scrabble

Worth 8 points, the OA combination is useful for cramped board positions, hooks to KOANS

Words Related to Koan

Anagrams of Koan

Words that use exactly the same letters as β€œkoan”.

Words one letter different

Change a single letter of β€œkoan” to make these 4-letter words β€” useful for Wordle and crossword clues.

Add a letter to make a longer word

5-letter words you can spell by adding one letter to β€œkoan”.

Longer words starting with Koan

Words that begin with β€œkoan”.

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Dictionary References

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