Word lists6 min readPublished: 11 August 2026

Impostor game words: the list that fills an entire evening

If you play on paper, you need this list. If you play on a phone, it still helps to know what makes a word work.

The quality of an impostor game comes down to the words you play with. Too easy and the impostor solves it after two clues. Too hard and even the crew cannot give a decent clue, so the whole round collapses. Below are words that reliably work, sorted by category, plus what actually makes a good impostor word.

What makes a good impostor word?

Be specific. Dog works, Animal does not, because anything fits it.
Pick words with many connections. Wedding is excellent because there are twenty different ways to hint at it.
Do not go too narrow. Nobody is going to land on your grandfather reading glasses.
Everyone should know it. If half the group has never heard of it, the round is pointless.

Easy words to start with

Start here if someone is playing for the first time. These have enough connections that everyone can produce a clue.

Animals: Dog, Cat, Elephant, Lion, Penguin, Horse, Rabbit, Frog, Bear, Eagle
Food: Pizza, Burger, Pancake, Bread, Cheese, Soup, Cake, Ice cream, Egg, Honey
Objects: Umbrella, Clock, Glasses, Key, Pillow, Mirror, Ladder, Candle, Suitcase, Paintbrush
Places: Beach, School, Hospital, Airport, Market, Cinema, Kitchen, Forest, Mountain, Museum

Medium words

This is where the game gets interesting. Clues are no longer obvious, so people have to think.

Jobs: Pilot, Chef, Firefighter, Dentist, Librarian, Archaeologist, Postman, Judge, Detective, Architect
Sports: Water polo, Fencing, Archery, Curling, Gymnastics, Rowing, Surfing, Chess, Triathlon, Ice hockey
Nature: Waterfall, Glacier, Volcano, Desert, Rainbow, Cave, Swamp, Coral reef, Thunderstorm, Sand dune
Technology: Drone, Robot vacuum, Charger, Password, Maps app, Smartwatch, Printer, Router, Camera, Coding

Hard words for experienced groups

Play these once your group has some practice. Abstract, compound or ambiguous words where even the clue giving becomes an art.

Abstract: Nostalgia, Patience, Luck, Secret, Lie, Silence, Goodbye, Routine, Temptation, Trust
Situations: Job interview, Moving house, First date, Airport waiting, Class reunion, Exam week, Queueing, Graduation, Car wash, Dentist waiting room
Culture: Opera, Graffiti, Origami, Karaoke, Carnival, Ballet, Circus, Podcast, Musical, Tattoo

No need to write them down

The app carries more than 300 words across ten categories and deals the roles for you, so there is no list to print and hide.

Impostor Party Game

Download free

How to use the list on paper

1Write one slip of paper per player.
2Put the same word on every slip except one. On that one write an X.
3Fold them, shuffle, and everyone draws one.
4Whoever drew the X is the impostor. Start the clue round.

Frequently asked questions

How many words do you need for one evening?

One round uses one word, and most groups play between five and fifteen rounds in a sitting. Twenty to thirty prepared words is a safe start, though more is better so you never repeat.

Which words should I avoid in the impostor game?

Overly general words such as Animal, Food or Person, because any clue fits them, so the impostor can never be caught. Equally, avoid very narrow words that only one person in the group would know.

Can we use our own words?

Yes, and those are usually the best rounds. Write words about your own friend group, your workplace or a shared holiday. Nobody can give a routine clue for those.

Want to try it right now?

The impostor party game is free, plays offline, and works from three players up.