1,100+ Imposter Game Words
Good words are the whole game of Imposter, also spelled impostor. Everything below is pulled from the words in the game itself, sorted by what you are looking for: funny, hard, easy, or by category. Want to just play? Start the game, it hands each player their word automatically.
The best words for the imposter game
There is no single best word, and any list that claims otherwise is guessing. It depends what you want out of the round. One rule comes before everything else. After that, there are two kinds of good word, and they run in opposite directions.
First, everyone at the table has to actually know the word
The worst round in this game is the one where you look at your word and do not recognise it. You have nothing to say and no way to bluff, and you get caught for the wrong reason entirely. Nobody has fun, least of all you.
That is partly a vocabulary question, and it is just as much a category question. Our 60s Pop Culture pack is a good pack. It is a terrible choice with a twelve-year-old at the table, and not because the words are hard. They do not have a difficult round, they have no round at all.
Family games live or die here, because the gap runs both ways. A ten-year-old and a seventy-year-old know almost completely different things. Grandma does not know this year's memes and the grandkids do not know the sixties, and neither of them is wrong.
So pick for the narrowest vocabulary at the table, not the average one. If one person does not know the word, you do not have a harder game, you have one player who is not playing. That is the whole reason the game ships difficulty tiers and lets you switch categories off before you start.
Once everyone can actually play, the interesting question is what kind of word you want.
The standard way: one thing, described from every angle
The words
Concrete things almost everyone knows. Pizza, Dog, Umbrella, Backpack. Most of the game lives here.
The clues
Attributes of that one thing. Pizza is the workhorse, and it is worth seeing why: there are at least eight ways in, and each one opens up several clues of its own.
| Way in | Pizza | Dog |
|---|---|---|
| What it is like | Round, hot, cheesy, greasy | Loyal, furry, excitable, loud |
| A part of it | Crust, pepperoni, sauce, box | Tail, paws, collar, wet nose |
| Where you find it | Party, oven, Italy, the freezer | Park, couch, backyard, the vet |
| What it does | Bakes, burns your mouth, feeds a crowd | Barks, fetches, digs, licks |
| What it is made of | Dough, tomato, mozzarella | Fur, teeth, muscle |
| What it leaves you with | Full, greasy fingers, leftovers | Muddy floors, chewed shoes, company |
| What it stands for | Comfort, Friday night, sharing | Loyalty, family, walks |
| Near it, but not it | Calzone, breadsticks, garlic bread | Cat, wolf, leash |
That is close to thirty usable clues for a single word, which is what keeps a round alive for three or four passes before anyone starts scraping.
If you know the word
Prove that you know it without handing it over, and come in from an angle nobody has used yet.
If you are the imposter
Triangulate. Every clue describes the same thing, so you are narrowing down what that thing could be while saying something vague enough to survive your turn.
The inverse way: one property, and everything that has it
The words
Adjectives, textures, sensations. Slimy, Sticky, Crunchy, Brain Freeze, Wet Socks. Narrower, and harder.
The clues
Not descriptions, examples. Nobody describes slimy, they name things that are slimy: seaweed, a raw egg, a slug, the bottom of a pond. The clues stop being attributes of one thing and turn into a pile of unrelated objects that happen to share a property.
If you know the word
Name something that genuinely fits, without reaching for the most obvious example on the table.
If you are the imposter
The job flips completely. You are not narrowing down a thing any more. You are sitting there looking at four random objects trying to work out what on earth connects them, then adding a fifth that belongs.
It is usually easier to get caught in a round like that, because there is less to hide behind. It is also more fun than it has any right to be, and the words being ridiculous is most of the reason. A hard word can work the same way: one narrow way in, and the difficulty is the fun.
So the lists below are sorted by what you are after rather than ranked one to a hundred. Pick the shelf, not the winner.
Stuck on what to actually say when it is your turn? The guide covers the eight angles we use when writing hints for the game, which is a good way to find a clue nobody else has used yet.
Want to skip the list entirely? Start the game and it deals the words for you. The free version has 2,172 words across 22 categories already loaded into the generator: it picks the word, deals it privately to each player, and marks the imposter, so nobody has to sit out organising.
Premium adds 3,329 more, which is where the seasonal and pop culture packs live: Road Trip, Sleepover, Weddings, Birthdays, every holiday, and each decade from the 60s to the 2020s. 5,500 words in total.
Best funny words for the imposter game 406
Funny beats clever every time. The words that get a laugh at a real table are sensory, physical, and a little undignified, not obscure. This list is built for reading and stealing: pick a section, grab a handful, and go. Want them dealt out for you instead? Play the game, or print a sheet.
Funny adjectives 30
The texture words. Kids reach for these first, and they are murder to clue without sounding gross.
Slimy, Sticky, Chewy, Squishy, Crusty, Lumpy, Soggy, Gooey, Bumpy, Wrinkly, Greasy, Crunchy, Stinky, Smelly, Slobbery, Prickly, Jiggly, Wobbly, Rubbery, Sweaty, Grimy, Mushy, Scratchy, Squeaky, Itchy, Fluffy, Musty, Sloppy, Fuzzy, Slippery
Funny verbs 28
Actions that are funny to do and funnier to describe.
Juggling, Burping, Sneezing, Snoring, Slurping, Wobbling, Tripping, Waddling, Tickling, Yawning, Drooling, Giggling, Skipping, Twirling, Gargling, Sniffing, Wiggling, Snorting, Chomping, Stomping, Shuffling, Bouncing, Hiccups, Squirming, Flopping, Tiptoeing, Somersault, Cartwheel
Funny body parts 28
Nothing spicy, just the parts kids think are hilarious.
Nose Hair, Belly Button, Toe Jam, Toenail, Earwax, Armpit, Knuckle, Nostril, Eyebrow, Kneecap, Eyelash, Freckle, Dimple, Bald Spot, Double Chin, Big Toe, Pinky Toe, Tonsils, Funny Bone, Bedhead, Morning Breath, Loose Tooth, Cowlick, Elbow, Uvula, Braces, Goosebumps, Bruise
Funny sounds 10
One-word noises. Impossible to clue with a straight face.
Burp, Hiccup, Sneeze, Snore, Squeak, Honk, Boing, Splat, Gurgle, Squelch
Silly toys and things 30
The toy box is a goldmine.
Yo-Yo, Unicycle, Pogo Stick, Whoopee Cushion, Rubber Chicken, Kazoo, Slinky, Bubble Wrap, Silly String, Play-Doh, Hula Hoop, Jack-in-the-Box, Sock Puppet, Pinata, Bouncy Castle, Slip 'N Slide, Squirt Gun, Paper Airplane, Fidget Spinner, Balloon Animal, Clown Nose, Stilts, Trampoline, Roller Skates, Tricycle, Wind-Up Toy, Party Horn, Marbles, Piggy Bank, Bubble Bath
Funny and obscure jobs 38
The real ones are the best ones. Nobody believes Snake Milker is a job.
Mime, Lion Tamer, Sword Swallower, Fire Breather, Ventriloquist, Snake Charmer, Trapeze Artist, Balloon Artist, Human Statue, Stilt Walker, Chimney Sweep, Town Crier, Cobbler, Blacksmith, Lamplighter, Milkman, Switchboard Operator, Gravedigger, Taxidermist, Water Slide Tester, Golf Ball Diver, Snake Milker, Panda Nanny, Professional Mourner, Odor Tester, Bed Tester, Dog Food Taster, Ostrich Babysitter, Line Sitter, Dog Walker, Ice Cream Man, Crossing Guard, Mall Santa, Zookeeper, Stunt Double, Bounty Hunter, Lighthouse Keeper, Repo Man
Smells 20
Everyone knows exactly what these smell like, and nobody can say it in one word.
Skunk, Wet Dog, Gym Socks, Fresh Cut Grass, Gasoline, Sharpie, Sunscreen, Campfire, Chlorine, New Car Smell, Old Books, Crayons, Burnt Toast, Mothballs, Bleach, Vinegar, Baby Powder, Locker Room, Grandma's House, Popcorn
Tastes 16
Sour, Bitter, Salty, Spicy, Tangy, Metallic, Bland, Minty, Burnt, Soapy, Pickle Juice, Cough Syrup, Lemon, Bubblegum Medicine, Toothpaste After Orange Juice, Licking a Battery
Sensations everyone knows 15
Universal, instantly recognisable, and undignified to explain.
Foot Fell Asleep, Pins and Needles, Brain Freeze, Static Shock, Nails on a Chalkboard, Wet Socks, Sand in Your Swimsuit, Papercut, Ears Popping, Ice Bath, Sunburn, Splinter, Itchy Tag, Cold Toilet Seat, Stubbed Toe
Mistakes and accidents 30
These play differently: the clue is a memory, so people start telling stories.
Tripped on Nothing, Pushed a Pull Door, Walked into a Glass Door, Missed the Last Step, Fell Up the Stairs, Head Bump, Spilled Milk, Dropped Ice Cream, Sat on Gum, Bit Your Tongue, Called the Teacher Mom, Waved at the Wrong Person, Toilet Paper on Your Shoe, Spinach in Your Teeth, Forgot Their Name, Zipper Down, Two Different Socks, Reply All, Butt Dial, Autocorrect Fail, Wrong Number, Forgot the Password, Left on Read, Burnt Dinner, Locked Keys in the Car, Left It in the Oven, Overslept, Milk Went Bad, Wrong Turn, Shrunk in the Wash
Things you are not supposed to do 12
Forbidden is funny, and this is the version that works at a family table.
Double Dipping, Running with Scissors, Picking Your Nose, Cutting in Line, Talking with Your Mouth Full, Jumping on the Bed, Chewing with Your Mouth Open, Tattling, Spoilers, Eating Before Dinner, Wiping Hands on Pants, Licking the Spoon
Pet peeves 12
Everyone has a strong feeling about hold music, and strong feelings make good clues.
Loud Chewer, Slow Walker, Hold Music, Slow Wi-Fi, Mosquito, Alarm Clock, Taking the Last Slice, Backseat Driver, One Square of Toilet Paper, Popup Ad, Waiting Room, Talking During the Movie
Rituals and superstitions 12
Pinky Swear, Knocking on Wood, Wishbone, Tooth Under the Pillow, Blowing Out Candles, Secret Handshake, Cooties, Wishing on a Star, Shotgun, Jinx, High Five, Crossing Your Fingers
Childhood law 14
The unwritten rules every kid enforces and no adult ever wrote down.
Dibs, Do-Over, No Backsies, Finders Keepers, Thumb War, Rock Paper Scissors, Eeny Meeny Miny Moe, Truth or Dare, Race You, First Dibs, Called It, Not It, Opposite Day, Rain Check
Playground games 20
Tag, Hide and Seek, Red Light Green Light, Duck Duck Goose, Musical Chairs, Marco Polo, Freeze Tag, Red Rover, Hot Potato, I Spy, Telephone, Four Square, Tetherball, Monkey Bars, Seesaw, Merry-Go-Round, Sandbox, Swing Set, Jump Rope, Hopscotch
School rituals 16
Show and Tell, Gold Star, Sticker Chart, Hall Pass, Permission Slip, Substitute Teacher, Fire Drill, Picture Day, Spelling Bee, Science Fair, Report Card, Field Trip, Class Pet, Snack Time, Nap Time, Lunch Trade
Being a kid outside 20
Lemonade Stand, Sidewalk Chalk, Water Balloon, Sprinkler, Snow Angel, Snowball Fight, Puddle Jumping, Skipping Stones, Dandelion Wish, Four-Leaf Clover, Lightning Bug Jar, Popsicle Stick, Training Wheels, Band-Aid, Skinned Knee, Cootie Catcher, Friendship Bracelet, Passing Notes, Imaginary Friend, Pet Rock
Places every kid knows 12
Principal's Office, Time Out, Blanket Fort, Bunk Bed, Treehouse, Back Seat, Detention, School Bus, Sleepover, Recess, Top Bunk, Dentist Chair
Things everyone believes that are not true 12
The round does not end at the reveal. Someone says wait, is that not true, and now the table is arguing about camels.
Five-Second Rule, Goldfish Memory, Bulls Hate Red, Bats Are Blind, Ten Percent of Our Brain, Lightning Never Strikes Twice, Swallowed Gum, Swimming After Eating, Cracking Knuckles, Sitting Too Close to the TV, Sugar Makes Kids Hyper, Water in Camel Humps
Monsters and cryptids 15
Already in the game, and still some of the funniest words in it.
Bigfoot, Yeti, Loch Ness Monster, Chupacabra, Mothman, Jersey Devil, Slenderman, Gremlin, Troll, Goblin, Kraken, Sasquatch, Boogeyman, Monster Under the Bed, Abominable Snowman
Funny food 16
Meatball, Jello, Sardine, Brussels Sprout, Fruitcake, Gummy Worm, Corn Dog, Deviled Egg, Cotton Candy, Prune, Baked Beans, Spaghetti, Pickle, Marshmallow, Spam, Head Cheese
Best hard words for the imposter game 230
Harder to describe without giving the game away, and harder to bluff if you drew the imposter slip. Best once a group has a few rounds behind them. These are the game's own hard tier, not a separate list.
Food 10
Truffle, Caviar, Escargot, Foie Gras, Saffron, Oysters, Quinoa, Kale, Pomegranate, Lychee
Animals 10
Aardvark, Axolotl, Narwhal, Pangolin, Okapi, Wombat, Kiwi, Cassowary, Tapir, Manatee
Objects & Things 10
Telescope, Microscope, Binoculars, Typewriter, Sewing Machine, Compass Rose, Sextant, Abacus, Quill, Scroll
Sports & Games 10
Polo Mallet, Jai Alai, Curling, Biathlon, Triathlon, Decathlon, Pentathlon, Fencing Sabre, Kabaddi, Sepak Takraw
Emotions & Feelings 10
Euphoria, Melancholy, Resentment, Serenity, Agitation, Exhilaration, Desperation, Vindication, Contentment, Longing
Holidays & Celebrations 10
Saturnalia, Sol Invictus, Beltane, Samhain, Walpurgis Night, Krampusnacht, Guy Fawkes Night, Obon, Vesak, Shinto Matsuri
School & Learning 10
Thesis, Dissertation, Symposium, Seminar, Lecture, Curriculum, Syllabus, Diploma, Certificate, Transcript
Jobs & Professions 10
Diplomat, Ambassador, Archaeologist, Anthropologist, Historian, Philosopher, Theologian, Linguist, Novelist, Playwright
Vehicles & Transportation 10
Concorde, Stealth Bomber, Aircraft Carrier, Destroyer, Battleship, Submersible, Hydrofoil, Maglev Train, Bullet Bike, Hoverboard
Geography (Countries & Cities) 10
Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Maldives
Superpowers 10
Reality Warp, Immortality, Omniscience, Omnipotence, Cosmic Awareness, Dimensional Travel, Probability Control, Chaos Magic, Necromancy, Summoning
Fears & Phobias (Light & Clean) 10
Death, Dying, The Unknown, Eternity, Insanity, Losing Control, Loneliness, Betrayal, Abandonment, Apocalypse
Movies & TV 10
Inception, Interstellar, Matrix, Blade Runner, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Reservoir Dogs, Goodfellas, Godfather, Scarface
Places (Landmarks & Locations) 10
Potala Palace, Borobudur, Banaue Rice Terraces, Mont Saint-Michel, Meteora, Abu Simbel, Karnak Temple, Delphi, Knossos, Palenque
Silly & Random 10
Loch Ness Monster, Bigfoot, Yeti, Chupacabra, Kraken, Mothman, Jersey Devil, Slenderman, Grim Reaper, Poltergeist
Fantasy & Mythical Creatures 10
Behemoth, Leviathan, Jörmungandr, Fenrir, Sleipnir, Nidhogg, Valkyrie, Fafnir, Balrog, Smaug
Technology & Gadgets 10
Quantum Computer, Supercomputer, Mainframe, Microchip, Semiconductor, Nanobot, Exoskeleton, Prosthetic Arm, Bionic Eye, Neural Implant
Nature & Outdoors 10
Aurora, Eclipse, Supernova, Black Hole, Comet, Meteor, Tsunami, Earthquake (Major), Landslide, Sinkhole
Music & Entertainment 10
Symphony No. 9, Requiem, Concerto, Sonata, Fugue, Aria, Libretto, Cantata, Oratorio, Madrigal
Famous People & Characters 10
Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Shakespeare, Beethoven, Mozart
Video Games & Internet Culture 10
Dark Souls, Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Hollow Knight, Cuphead, Undertale, Sans, Papyrus, Frisk, Chara
Colors 10
Vermilion, Saffron, Ultramarine, Cinnabar, Malachite, Lapis Lazuli, Obsidian, Onyx, Alabaster, Umber
Shapes 10
Icosahedron, Dodecahedron, Tetrahedron, Torus, Möbius Strip, Klein Bottle, Hypercube, Tesseract, Mandelbrot Set, Apollonian Gasket
Best easy words for the imposter game 230
Everyone knows these, so nobody sits there stuck for a clue. The right choice for a mixed table where a younger player and an adult are in the same round, and the right place to start if your group has never played.
Food 10
Pizza, Apple, Bread, Cake, Ice Cream, Banana, Sandwich, Milk, Cookie, Cheese
Animals 10
Dog, Cat, Cow, Fish, Horse, Duck, Bird, Pig, Rabbit, Lion
Objects & Things 10
Chair, Table, Bed, Door, Window, Lamp, Clock, Phone, Book, Pen
Sports & Games 10
Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Football, Tennis, Golf, Hockey, Volleyball, Swimming, Running
Emotions & Feelings 10
Happy, Sad, Angry, Scared, Excited, Bored, Tired, Relaxed, Love, Hate
Holidays & Celebrations 10
Birthday, Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Thanksgiving, New Year, Valentine’s, Wedding, Anniversary, Graduation
School & Learning 10
Teacher, Student, School, Class, Desk, Chair, Book, Pencil, Pen, Paper
Jobs & Professions 10
Doctor, Nurse, Teacher, Student, Farmer, Chef, Baker, Driver, Pilot, Soldier
Vehicles & Transportation 10
Car, Bus, Truck, Bike, Train, Subway, Airplane, Helicopter, Boat, Ship
Geography (Countries & Cities) 10
USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, China
Superpowers 10
Flight, Invisibility, Super Strength, Speed, Telepathy, Telekinesis, Healing, Fire, Ice, Water
Fears & Phobias (Light & Clean) 10
Darkness, Heights, Spiders, Snakes, Dogs, Cats, Mice, Bugs, Bees, Wasps
Movies & TV 10
Frozen, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Shrek, Lion King, Moana, Aladdin, Beauty & Beast, Cinderella, Snow White
Places (Landmarks & Locations) 10
Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, Big Ben, Colosseum, Great Wall, Pyramids, Taj Mahal, Leaning Tower, Mount Rushmore, Golden Gate
Silly & Random 10
Banana, Chicken, Cow, Pig, Frog, Duck, Cat, Dog, Fish, Worm
Fantasy & Mythical Creatures 10
Dragon, Unicorn, Fairy, Elf, Dwarf, Giant, Troll, Goblin, Mermaid, Centaur
Technology & Gadgets 10
Phone, Tablet, Laptop, Computer, Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor, TV, Remote, Camera
Nature & Outdoors 10
Tree, Flower, Grass, Leaf, Rock, Stone, River, Lake, Ocean, Mountain
Music & Entertainment 10
Guitar, Piano, Drum, Violin, Flute, Trumpet, Saxophone, Microphone, Singer, Band
Famous People & Characters 10
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Elsa
Video Games & Internet Culture 10
Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Link, Zelda, Ganon, Pikachu
Colors 10
Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Pink, Black, White, Brown
Shapes 10
Circle, Square, Triangle, Rectangle, Oval, Star, Heart, Diamond, Cross, Arrow
Imposter word lists by category 828
A sample from each free category, in easy, medium, and hard. The game has hundreds more built in.
Animals
Dog, Cat, Cow, Fish, Horse, Duck, Bird, Pig, Rabbit, Lion, Tiger, Bear
Eagle, Shark, Camel, Leopard, Gorilla, Hyena, Alligator, Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus, Leopard Seal, Peacock, Chimpanzee
Aardvark, Axolotl, Narwhal, Pangolin, Okapi, Wombat, Kiwi, Cassowary, Tapir, Manatee, Ibex, Lemur
Colors
Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Pink, Black, White, Brown, Gray, Gold
Chartreuse, Mustard, Salmon, Plum, Periwinkle, Mauve, Ochre, Sepia, Indigo Blue, Cerulean, Cobalt, Azure
Vermilion, Saffron, Ultramarine, Cinnabar, Malachite, Lapis Lazuli, Obsidian, Onyx, Alabaster, Umber, Ochre (Red), Tyrian Purple
Emotions & Feelings
Happy, Sad, Angry, Scared, Excited, Bored, Tired, Relaxed, Love, Hate, Lonely, Proud
Joy, Sorrow, Fear, Courage, Anger, Calmness, Surprise, Disgust, Delight, Confusion, Clarity, Pride
Euphoria, Melancholy, Resentment, Serenity, Agitation, Exhilaration, Desperation, Vindication, Contentment, Longing, Remorse, Humiliation
Famous People & Characters
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Elsa, Anna, Olaf
Harry Potter, Hermione, Ron Weasley, Dumbledore, Voldemort, Frodo, Samwise, Gandalf, Sauron, Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn
Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Shakespeare, Beethoven, Mozart, Elvis Presley, The Beatles
Fantasy & Mythical Creatures
Dragon, Unicorn, Fairy, Elf, Dwarf, Giant, Troll, Goblin, Mermaid, Centaur, Griffin, Phoenix
Basilisk, Medusa, Cerberus, Chimera, Sphinx, Pegasus, Griffin, Harpy, Siren, Naga, Rakshasa, Oni
Behemoth, Leviathan, Jörmungandr, Fenrir, Sleipnir, Nidhogg, Valkyrie, Fafnir, Balrog, Smaug, Shelob, Morgoth
Fears & Phobias (Light & Clean)
Darkness, Heights, Spiders, Snakes, Dogs, Cats, Mice, Bugs, Bees, Wasps, Germs, Needles
Elevators, Escalators, Bridges, Tunnels, Airplanes, Boats, Trains, Cars, Motorcycles, Speed, Falling (High), Drowning (Deep)
Death, Dying, The Unknown, Eternity, Insanity, Losing Control, Failure (Life), Rejection (Love), Loneliness, Betrayal, Abandonment, Apocalypse
Food
Pizza, Apple, Bread, Cake, Ice Cream, Banana, Sandwich, Milk, Cookie, Cheese, Orange, Grapes
Steak, Sushi, Burrito, Lasagna, Croissant, Dumpling, Curry, Lobster, Shrimp, Crab, Ramen, Quiche
Truffle, Caviar, Escargot, Foie Gras, Saffron, Oysters, Quinoa, Kale, Pomegranate, Lychee, Fennel, Anchovy
Geography (Countries & Cities)
USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, China, Japan, India
Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia
Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Fiji, Samoa
Holidays & Celebrations
Birthday, Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Thanksgiving, New Year, Valentine’s, Wedding, Anniversary, Graduation, Baby Shower, Retirement
Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Ramadan, Eid, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Holi, Oktoberfest, Mardi Gras, Cinco de Mayo
Saturnalia, Sol Invictus, Beltane, Samhain, Walpurgis Night, Krampusnacht, Guy Fawkes Night, Obon, Vesak, Shinto Matsuri, Carnival of Venice, La Tomatina
Jobs & Professions
Doctor, Nurse, Teacher, Student, Farmer, Chef, Baker, Driver, Pilot, Soldier, Police, Firefighter
Architect, Engineer, Scientist, Astronaut, Pilot, Sailor, Captain, Miner, Butcher, Tailor, Designer, Photographer
Diplomat, Ambassador, Archaeologist, Anthropologist, Historian, Philosopher, Theologian, Linguist, Novelist, Playwright, Critic, Curator
Movies & TV
Frozen, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Shrek, Lion King, Moana, Aladdin, Beauty & Beast, Cinderella, Snow White, Bambi, Cars
Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of Rings, Avengers, Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Panther, Wonder Woman
Inception, Interstellar, Matrix, Blade Runner, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Reservoir Dogs, Goodfellas, Godfather, Scarface, Joker, Dark Knight
Music & Entertainment
Guitar, Piano, Drum, Violin, Flute, Trumpet, Saxophone, Microphone, Singer, Band, Song, Album
Symphony, Opera, Ballet, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop, Rap, Country, Reggae, Salsa
Symphony No. 9, Requiem, Concerto, Sonata, Fugue, Aria, Libretto, Cantata, Oratorio, Madrigal, Gregorian Chant, Etude
Nature & Outdoors
Tree, Flower, Grass, Leaf, Rock, Stone, River, Lake, Ocean, Mountain, Valley, Hill
Glacier, Avalanche, Geyser, Canyon, Cliff, Plateau, Prairie, Savannah, Taiga, Tundra, Coral Reef, Mangrove
Aurora, Eclipse, Supernova, Black Hole, Comet, Meteor, Volcano (Active), Tsunami, Earthquake (Major), Landslide, Sinkhole, Geyser (Super)
Objects & Things
Chair, Table, Bed, Door, Window, Lamp, Clock, Phone, Book, Pen, Pencil, Paper
Scissors, Knife, Fork, Spoon, Plate, Bowl, Cup, Mug, Bottle, Jar, Basket, Box
Telescope, Microscope, Binoculars, Typewriter, Sewing Machine, Compass Rose, Sextant, Abacus, Quill, Scroll, Hourglass, Lantern
Places (Landmarks & Locations)
Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, Big Ben, Colosseum, Great Wall, Pyramids, Taj Mahal, Leaning Tower, Mount Rushmore, Golden Gate, Empire State, CN Tower
Petra, Angkor Wat, Chichen Itza, Moai Statues, Acropolis, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Dome of Rock, Western Wall, Mecca, Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica
Potala Palace, Borobudur, Banaue Rice Terraces, Mont Saint-Michel, Meteora, Abu Simbel, Karnak Temple, Delphi, Knossos, Palenque, Tikal, Teotihuacan
School & Learning
Teacher, Student, School, Class, Desk, Chair, Book, Pencil, Pen, Paper, Notebook, Chalk
Science, Math, History, Geography, Art, Music, Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar, Language, Debate
Thesis, Dissertation, Symposium, Seminar, Lecture, Curriculum, Syllabus, Diploma, Certificate, Transcript, Algebra, Geometry
Shapes
Circle, Square, Triangle, Rectangle, Oval, Star, Heart, Diamond, Cross, Arrow, Hexagon, Pentagon
Rhombus, Parallelogram, Trapezoid, Hexagram, Octagram, Pentagon, Dodecagon, Spiral Shell, Helix, Waveform, Sine Wave, Grid Pattern
Icosahedron, Dodecahedron, Tetrahedron, Torus, Möbius Strip, Klein Bottle, Hypercube, Tesseract, Mandelbrot Set, Apollonian Gasket, Penrose Triangle, Penrose Tiling
Silly & Random
Banana, Chicken, Cow, Pig, Frog, Duck, Cat, Dog, Fish, Worm, Bird, Mouse
Unicorn, Dragon, Mermaid, Pirate, Ninja, Robot, Alien, Zombie, Vampire, Werewolf, Witch, Wizard
Loch Ness Monster, Bigfoot, Yeti, Chupacabra, Kraken, Mothman, Jersey Devil, Slenderman, Grim Reaper, Poltergeist, Goblin, Gremlin
Sports & Games
Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Football, Tennis, Golf, Hockey, Volleyball, Swimming, Running, Biking, Skiing
Wrestling, Boxing, Karate, Judo, Taekwondo, Gymnastics, Fencing, Archery, Shooting, Rowing, Canoeing, Kayaking
Polo Mallet, Jai Alai, Curling, Biathlon, Triathlon, Decathlon, Pentathlon, Fencing Sabre, Kabaddi, Sepak Takraw, Polo (Water), Handball
Superpowers
Flight, Invisibility, Super Strength, Speed, Telepathy, Telekinesis, Healing, Fire, Ice, Water, Earth, Air
Precognition, Teleportation (Portal), Astral Projection, Energy Blast, Energy Absorption, Regeneration, Super Reflexes, Camouflage, Duplication, Shadow Control, Light Manipulation, Gravity Control
Reality Warp, Immortality, Omniscience, Omnipotence, Cosmic Awareness, Dimensional Travel, Probability Control, Chaos Magic, Necromancy, Summoning, Alchemy, Transmutation
Technology & Gadgets
Phone, Tablet, Laptop, Computer, Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor, TV, Remote, Camera, Headphones, Speaker
Drone, Printer, Scanner, Projector, Smart Speaker, Smart TV, Router, Modem, Hard Drive, USB Stick, Cloud, Server
Quantum Computer, Supercomputer, Mainframe, Microchip, Semiconductor, Nanobot, Exoskeleton, Prosthetic Arm, Bionic Eye, Neural Implant, Hologram, 3D Printer
Vehicles & Transportation
Car, Bus, Truck, Bike, Train, Subway, Airplane, Helicopter, Boat, Ship, Canoe, Kayak
Bullet Train, Subway Car, Tram, Trolley, Stagecoach, Carriage, Chariot, Tank, Submarine, Spaceship, Rocket, Space Shuttle
Concorde, Stealth Bomber, Aircraft Carrier, Destroyer, Battleship, Submersible, Hydrofoil, Maglev Train, Bullet Bike, Hoverboard, Segway (Advanced), Rickshaw (Cycle)
Video Games & Internet Culture
Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Link, Zelda, Ganon, Pikachu, Charizard, Jigglypuff
Lara Croft, Kratos, Solid Snake, Master Sword, Portal Gun, Companion Cube, Gordon Freeman, Alyx Vance, Doomguy, Demon (Doom), Sephiroth, Cloud Strife
Dark Souls, Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Hollow Knight, Cuphead, Undertale, Sans, Papyrus, Frisk, Chara, Minecraft Ender Dragon, Creeper (Hard)
Print a random imposter word sheet
Pick your categories and how many players, and we'll build a printable set of slips: one imposter, the rest with the same secret word. It's different every time, so no one can memorize the list.
Five are ticked to start, the same ones the game opens with. ·
Loading word lists...
Did the printable work for you?
I built this generator myself and I read every response. Tell me what broke or what is missing and I'll fix it. Bryan
Premium word packs
Themed and seasonal packs, unlocked with premium.
Frequently asked questions
What are good words for the game imposter?
Start with the only rule that always holds: everyone at the table has to know the word. After that it depends what you want. A word like Pizza or Dragon works because you can come at it from a dozen directions, so everyone has something to say. A word like Slimy works for the opposite reason, because the clues turn into examples and the imposter has to work out what connects them. The full breakdown is at the top of this page.
How many words do you need?
One word per round, so the number you actually want is players multiplied by how many times you want to go round the table.
That is because everyone should get a turn going first. Position matters more than people expect: going first, with no clues to work from, is the hardest seat in the game, and it is not much fun if the same person always draws it. So ten players need ten words to give everyone that turn once. Play through three or four times across an evening and you are looking at thirty or forty.
Group size also changes how long each word takes, and not in the direction most people guess. With four players you will go round three or four times before anyone votes, so a single word can run a while. With ten, one or two passes is usually enough, because ten clues is already plenty to work with. Our own data says the average game is just under four players, so most tables are in the slower, longer-per-word pattern.
The printable generator defaults to 12 rounds, which covers a group of six going round twice. Set it to whatever your table actually needs.
Can you play the imposter game without a phone?
Yes. Print a sheet, cut the slips apart, and deal one per player each round. That is the whole game, no devices needed.
Does the imposter get a hint word?
They can. There is a hint mode that gives the imposter a category or a related word instead of a blank screen, which makes bluffing possible rather than hopeless. It is the single most requested thing in our player feedback, and it changes the game a lot: without it the imposter is guessing blind, and with it they have something to build a clue from.
What words work for kids?
Stick to the Easy tier in categories like Animals, Food, and School. Those are picked so a younger player can give a clue without help.
Who made this
Bryan Jones
Bryan Jones studied game theory at UCLA and has been playing and creating games for most of his life. He builds his digital games from the rules and word engines through pass-and-play and online multiplayer, refining them based on how people actually play and what players tell him.
Cami Childs
Cami Childs is an award-winning game designer and the founder of Game On Family. She worked at Sony Pictures on Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, and her books have earned more than 600 reader ratings averaging 4.5 stars and higher.