Word games are spoken, board,

card Card or The Card may refer to: Common uses * Plastic cards of various types: **Bank card **Credit card **Debit card **Payment card * Playing card, used in games * Printed circuit board, or card * Greeting card, given on special occasions Arts an ...

video games A video game or computer game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device (such as a joystick, game controller, controller, computer keyboard, keyboard, or motion sensing device) to generate visual fe ...

often designed to test ability with

language Language is a structured system of communication that consists of grammar and vocabulary. It is the primary means by which humans convey meaning, both in spoken and signed language, signed forms, and may also be conveyed through writing syste ...

or to explore its properties. Word games are generally used as a source of

entertainment Entertainment is a form of activity that holds the attention and Interest (emotion), interest of an audience or gives pleasure and delight. It can be an idea or a task, but it is more likely to be one of the activities or events that have deve ...

, but can additionally serve an

education Education is the transmission of knowledge and skills and the development of character traits. Formal education occurs within a structured institutional framework, such as public schools, following a curriculum. Non-formal education als ...

al 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 A vocabulary (also known as a lexicon) is a set of words, typically the set in a language or the set known to an individual. The word ''vocabulary'' originated from the Latin , meaning "a word, name". It forms an essential component of languag ...

, had better brain function later in life. Popular word-based

game show A game show (or gameshow) is a genre of broadcast viewing entertainment where contestants compete in a game for rewards. The shows are typically directed by a game show host, host, who explains the rules of the program as well as commentating a ...

s 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.

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 Lateral thinking is a manner of Problem solving, solving problems using an indirect and creativity, creative approach via reasoning that is not immediately obvious. Synonymous to thinking outside the box, it involves ideas that may not be obtai ...

skills. Some examples of letter arrangement games include ''

Scrabble ''Scrabble'' is a word game in which two to four players score points by placing tiles, each bearing a single letter, onto a Board game, game board divided into a 15×15 grid of squares. The tiles must form words that, in crossword fashion, re ...

'', '' 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 Semantics is the study of linguistic Meaning (philosophy), meaning. It examines what meaning is, how words get their meaning, and how the meaning of a complex expression depends on its parts. Part of this process involves the distinction betwee ...

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. Mobile games like '' Letterpress'', '' Words with Friends'', and ''Word Connect'' have also brought word games to modern audiences.

In media

Many popular word games have been adapted to television and radio game shows. As well as the examples given above, shows like '' Lingo'', '' Says You!'', ''

Catchphrase A catchphrase (alternatively spelled catch phrase) is a phrase or expression recognized by its repeated utterance. Such phrases often originate in popular culture and in the arts, and typically spread through word of mouth and a variety of mass ...

,'' and '' Only Connect'' either revolve around or include elements of word games. 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''.

References

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