Word game: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Puzzles, board games, or video games based on language}} | {{Short description|Puzzles, board games, or video games based on language}} | ||
{{redirect|Word puzzle|the video game|Word Puzzle | {{redirect|Word puzzle|the video game|Word Puzzle {{!}} ''Word Puzzle''}} | ||
{{ | {{more citations needed|date=July 2018}} | ||
{{Puzzles}} | {{Puzzles}} | ||
Word games are | '''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. | ||
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. | 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 == | == Categories == | ||
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=== Paper and pencil games === | === Paper and pencil games === | ||
[[File:Crossword solving using ballpoint pen.jpg|thumb|A crossword puzzle]] | [[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 [[ | 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 === | ||
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]], '' | 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 === | === Word formation games === | ||
Games involving creating words that meet specific conditions, such as [[Wordle]], [[Word ladder|Word Ladder]]. | Games involving creating words that meet specific conditions, such as [[Wordle]], [[Word ladder|Word Ladder]]. | ||
== Modern word games == | == 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'' 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 | 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 == | == In media == | ||
Many popular word games have been adapted to television and radio game shows. | 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 == | == See also == | ||
Latest revision as of 17:02, 18 November 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "redirect hatnote". Template:More citations needed Template:Puzzles
Word games are spoken, board, card or video games 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 educational purpose. Young children may enjoy playing games such as 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.[1]
Popular word-based game shows have been a part of television and radio throughout broadcast history, including Spelling Bee, the first televised game show, and Wheel of Fortune, the longest-running syndicated game show in the United States.[2]
Categories
Letter arrangement games
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.
Paper and pencil games
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, Boggle, and word searches.
Semantic games
Semantic games focus on the semantics of words, utilising their meanings and the shared knowledge of players as a mechanic. Connections, Mad Libs, Blankety Blank, and Codenames are all semantic games.
Word formation games
Games involving creating words that meet specific conditions, such as Wordle, 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, Decrypto, and Anomia were all designed after 2010, and have earned widespread acclaim.[3][4][5] Mobile games like Letterpress, Words with Friends, and Word Connect have also brought word games to modern audiences.[6]
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, Says You!, 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 editor.
Word games have also been launched on the Internet and featured in major publications, such as The New York Times Spelling Bee, Connections, and Wordle.
See also
- Anagram dictionary
- Double entendre
- Language game
- List of puzzle video games
- Phono-semantic matching
- Puns
- Puzzles
- RebusesTemplate:Spaced ndashpicture puzzles representing a word
- Verbal arithmetic
- Word chain
- Word play
- Word Ways: The Journal of Recreational Linguistics