View source for Word game

{{Short description|Puzzles, board games, or video games based on language}}
{{redirect|Word puzzle|the video game|Word Puzzle {{!}} ''Word Puzzle''}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2018}}
{{Puzzles}}

'''Word games''' are [[Spoken game|spoken]], [[Board game|board]], [[Card game|card]] or [[video game]]s often designed to test ability with [[language]] or to explore its properties.

Word games are generally used as a source of [[entertainment]], but can additionally serve an [[education]]al purpose. Young children may enjoy playing games such as [[Mad Libs|Mad Libs Junior]], while developing spelling and writing skills. Researchers have found that adults who regularly solved [[crossword]] puzzles, which require familiarity with a larger [[vocabulary]], had better brain function later in life.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rd.com/article/crossword-puzzles-can-make-you-smarter/|work=[[Reader's Digest]]|title=The Science Is In: Crossword Puzzles Can Literally Make Your Brain Younger|first=Claire|last=Gillespie|date=June 23, 2022|access-date=September 10, 2023}}</ref>

Popular word-based [[game show]]s have been a part of television and radio throughout broadcast history, including ''[[Spelling Bee (game show)|Spelling Bee]]'', the first televised game show, and ''[[Wheel of Fortune (American game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]'', the longest-running syndicated game show in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wheel of Fortune {{!}} NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame |url=https://nab.org/hof/inductees/wheelOfFortune.asp |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250622001027/https://nab.org/hof/inductees/wheelOfFortune.asp |archive-date=2025-06-22 |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=nab.org |language=en}}</ref>

== Categories ==

=== Letter arrangement games ===
[[File:Scrabble 2015.jpg|thumb|A game of Scrabble in French]]
In a letter arrangement game, the goal is to form words out of given letters. These games generally test vocabulary skills as well as [[lateral thinking]] skills. Some examples of letter arrangement games include ''[[Scrabble]]'', ''[[Upwords]]'', ''[[Bananagrams]]'', and ''[[Countdown (game show)|Countdown]]''.

=== Paper and pencil games ===
[[File:Crossword solving using ballpoint pen.jpg|thumb|A crossword puzzle]]
In a paper and pencil game, players write their own words, often under specific constraints. For example, a crossword requires players to use clues to fill out a grid, with words intersecting at specific letters. Other examples of paper and pencil games include hangman, [[Categories (word game)|categories]], ''[[Boggle]]'', and [[word search]]es.

=== Semantic games ===
Semantic games focus on the [[semantics]] of words, utilising their meanings and the shared knowledge of players as a mechanic. [[The New York Times Connections|Connections]], ''Mad Libs'', ''[[Blankety Blank]]'', and ''[[Codenames (board game)|Codenames]]'' are all semantic games.

=== Word formation games ===
Games involving creating words that meet specific conditions, such as [[Wordle]], [[Word ladder|Word Ladder]].

== Modern word games ==
As part of the modern "Golden Age" of board games, designers have created a variety of newer, non-traditional word games, often with more complex rules. Games like ''[[Codenames (board game)|Codenames]]'', ''[[Decrypto]]'', and ''[[Anomia (game)|Anomia]]'' were all designed after 2010, and have earned widespread acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/24/the-best-games-and-gear-for-game-night|work=[[TechCrunch]]|title=The best games and gear for game night|first=Makula|last=Dunbar|date=September 24, 2018|access-date=September 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/aug/14/board-games-ticket-to-ride-new-york-and-decrypto|work=[[The Guardian]]|title=Board games: Ticket to Ride New York and Decrypto|first=Owen|last=Duffy|date=August 14, 2018|access-date=September 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/best-trivia-board-games/|work=[[IGN]]|title=The Best Trivia Board Games|first=Matt|last=Thrower|date=September 29, 2022|access-date=September 10, 2023}}</ref> [[Mobile game]]s like ''[[Letterpress (video game)|Letterpress]]'', ''[[Words with Friends]]'', and ''Word Connect'' have also brought word games to modern audiences.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/102055/zynga-spells-out-sequel-in-words-with-friends-2|work=[[Shacknews]]|title=Zynga Spells Out Sequel In Words With Friends|first=Kevin|last=Tucker|date=November 9, 2017|access-date=September 10, 2023}}</ref>

== In media ==
Many popular word games have been adapted to television and radio game shows. In addition to the examples given above, shows like ''[[Lingo (American game show)|Lingo]]'', ''[[Says You!]]'', ''[[Catchphrase (British game show)|Catchphrase]],'' and ''[[Only Connect]]'' either revolve around or include elements of word games. On [[NPR]], the ''Sunday Puzzle'' is hosted by [[Will Shortz]], [[The New York Times crossword|''The New York Times'' crossword]] editor.

Word games have also been launched on the Internet and featured in major publications, such as [[The New York Times Spelling Bee|''The New York Times'' Spelling Bee]], ''[[Connections (2023 video game)|Connections]]'', and ''[[Wordle]]''.

== See also ==
* [[Anagram dictionary]]
* [[Double entendre]]
* [[Language game]]
* [[List of puzzle video games]]
* [[Phono-semantic matching]]
* [[Pun]]s
* [[Puzzle]]s
* [[Rebus]]es{{spaced ndash}}picture puzzles representing a word
* [[Verbal arithmetic]]
* [[Word chain]]
* [[Word play]]
* ''[[Word Ways: The Journal of Recreational Linguistics]]''

== References ==
<references />

{{Folklore genres}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Word Game}}
[[Category:Word games|*]]
[[Category:Word puzzles|*]]