Imposter game words

576 good imposter game words in 18 categories, each with the hint the imposter sees when hints are on. Use them with paper slips, draw one with the imposter word generator, or let the imposter game deal them for you.

What makes a good imposter word

• Everyone knows it. If one player has never heard of it, they look like the imposter.
• Specific, not narrow. “Penguin” is better than “bird” (too vague to clue) or “emperor penguin” (one clue gives it away).
• Many angles. Good words can be described by look, place, sound or use, so each player has a different clue to give.
• Fair hints. The imposter’s hint should fit the category and several other words, so it helps them bluff without naming the word.

Word lists by category

• Animals 32 words, like Penguin, Giraffe, Elephant
• Food 32 words, like Pizza, Sushi, Burger
• Places 32 words, like Beach, Hospital, Airport
• Jobs 32 words, like Firefighter, Doctor, Teacher
• Sports 32 words, like Soccer, Basketball, Tennis
• Household objects 32 words, like Toothbrush, Umbrella, Mirror
• Countries 32 words, like Japan, Italy, Brazil
• At school 32 words, like Backpack, Pencil, Homework
• Nature 32 words, like Rainbow, Waterfall, Thunderstorm
• Transportation 32 words, like Bicycle, Helicopter, Submarine
• Clothing 32 words, like Hoodie, Sunglasses, Pajamas
• Music 32 words, like Guitar, Piano, Drums
• Fantasy & myths 32 words, like Dragon, Unicorn, Mermaid
• Technology 32 words, like Smartphone, Laptop, Wi-Fi
• Hobbies 32 words, like Knitting, Gardening, Fishing
• Movies & TV 32 words, like Superhero movie, Horror movie, Cartoon
• Halloween 32 words, like Jack-o'-lantern, Trick-or-treat, Costume
• Christmas 32 words, like Santa Claus, Reindeer, Snowman

All 576 imposter words

The full list, category by category. Select a category above for the hints.

Animals

Penguin, Giraffe, Elephant, Kangaroo, Octopus, Owl, Shark, Lion, Zebra, Panda, Dolphin, Snake, Bat, Camel, Frog, Parrot, Spider, Bee, Turtle, Wolf, Horse, Monkey, Crocodile, Peacock, Sloth, Polar bear, Squirrel, Flamingo, Chameleon, Hedgehog, Rabbit, Eagle

Food

Pizza, Sushi, Burger, Pancakes, Tacos, Spaghetti, Ice cream, Popcorn, Chocolate, Avocado, Cheese, Donut, Hot dog, Salad, Soup, Croissant, Watermelon, Pineapple, Lemon, Bacon, Cereal, Sandwich, Steak, Waffle, Fries, Cupcake, Peanut butter, Honey, Noodles, Omelette, Apple pie, Coffee

Places

Beach, Hospital, Airport, Library, Zoo, Museum, Casino, Gym, Cinema, School, Supermarket, Restaurant, Bank, Farm, Castle, Prison, Church, Space station, Submarine, Train station, Amusement park, Hotel, Campsite, Stadium, Ski resort, Desert island, Bakery, Police station, Concert, Wedding, Pirate ship, Volcano

Jobs

Firefighter, Doctor, Teacher, Chef, Pilot, Astronaut, Police officer, Dentist, Farmer, Lawyer, Plumber, Artist, Photographer, Mail carrier, Nurse, Scientist, Hairdresser, Mechanic, Lifeguard, Magician, Baker, Waiter, Judge, Soldier, Fisherman, Electrician, Librarian, Veterinarian, Architect, Clown, Detective, Taxi driver

Sports

Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, Baseball, Golf, Swimming, Boxing, Skiing, Surfing, Volleyball, Bowling, Hockey, Cycling, Skateboarding, Karate, Archery, Gymnastics, Fencing, Rowing, Marathon, Football, Wrestling, Darts, Climbing, Table tennis, Horse riding, Snowboarding, Badminton, Diving, Sailing, Rugby, Pickleball

Household objects

Toothbrush, Umbrella, Mirror, Pillow, Lamp, Fridge, Toaster, Vacuum, Clock, Scissors, Candle, Towel, Sofa, Key, Remote control, Hairdryer, Washing machine, Microwave, Ladder, Broom, Blanket, Doorbell, Kettle, Wallet, Shower, Plant pot, Iron, Fan, Bookshelf, Trash can, Alarm clock, Curtains

Countries

Japan, Italy, Brazil, Egypt, Canada, Australia, Mexico, France, India, China, Greece, Kenya, Iceland, Norway, Spain, Germany, Russia, Argentina, Turkey, Ireland, Switzerland, Thailand, Netherlands, Peru, South Korea, Jamaica, Scotland, Portugal, Morocco, New Zealand, Vietnam, United States

At school

Backpack, Pencil, Homework, Recess, Cafeteria, Principal, Exam, Chalkboard, Locker, Field trip, Calculator, Gym class, Science fair, Report card, Ruler, Glue stick, School bus, Graduation, Detention, Spelling bee, Lunchbox, Eraser, Textbook, Microscope, Globe, Notebook, Art class, Bell, Hall pass, Yearbook, Prom, Class pet

Nature

Rainbow, Waterfall, Thunderstorm, Desert, Glacier, Tornado, Forest, Mountain, Cave, Ocean, River, Island, Sunset, Snowflake, Lightning, Earthquake, Coral reef, Jungle, Meadow, Swamp, Eclipse, Northern lights, Fog, Hail, Canyon, Geyser, Moon, Comet, Puddle, Avalanche, Tide, Cliff

Transportation

Bicycle, Helicopter, Submarine, Rocket, Train, Cruise ship, Hot air balloon, Skateboard, Motorcycle, Ambulance, Tractor, Canoe, Scooter, Fire truck, Taxi, Limousine, Bus, Airplane, Sailboat, Tank, Cable car, Jet ski, Horse carriage, Garbage truck, Spaceship, Golf cart, Roller skates, Snowmobile, Tram, Ferry, Monster truck, Unicycle

Clothing

Hoodie, Sunglasses, Pajamas, Raincoat, Scarf, Tuxedo, Flip-flops, Sweater, Swimsuit, Gloves, Tie, Crown, Sneakers, High heels, Bathrobe, Overalls, Wedding dress, Baseball cap, Socks, Belt, Kilt, Apron, Boots, Mittens, Cape, Leather jacket, Tank top, Beanie, Uniform, Costume, Jeans, Bow tie

Music

Guitar, Piano, Drums, Violin, Trumpet, Microphone, Karaoke, Orchestra, Headphones, Saxophone, Harp, DJ, Concert, Opera, Rap, Lullaby, Choir, Ukulele, Flute, Accordion, Tambourine, Music video, Record player, Band, Radio, Metronome, Bagpipes, Xylophone, National anthem, Boy band, Encore, Playlist

Fantasy & myths

Dragon, Unicorn, Mermaid, Vampire, Wizard, Ghost, Zombie, Werewolf, Fairy, Troll, Giant, Witch, Genie, Phoenix, Pirate, Knight, Elf, Robot, Alien, Superhero, Mummy, Goblin, Centaur, Yeti, Leprechaun, Sphinx, Cyclops, Kraken, Time machine, Magic wand, Treasure map, Haunted house

Technology

Smartphone, Laptop, Wi-Fi, Selfie, Emoji, Video game, Charger, Robot vacuum, Drone, Smartwatch, Text message, Password, Printer, Keyboard, Virtual reality, Podcast, Streaming, Hashtag, Bluetooth, Hard drive, Mouse, Webcam, Group chat, Spam, Satellite, GPS, Calculator, Screenshot, Voice assistant, Electric car, Search engine, 3D printer

Hobbies

Knitting, Gardening, Fishing, Painting, Camping, Photography, Baking, Chess, Yoga, Dancing, Hiking, Reading, Bird watching, Puzzles, Pottery, Juggling, Origami, Scrapbooking, Stargazing, Woodworking, Skydiving, Karaoke, Magic tricks, Video gaming, Collecting stamps, Board games, Sewing, Kite flying, Calligraphy, Surfing, Rock climbing, Cooking

Movies & TV

Superhero movie, Horror movie, Cartoon, Sitcom, Reality show, Game show, Documentary, Soap opera, Western, Musical, Romantic comedy, Sequel, Trailer, Popcorn bucket, Red carpet, Movie theater, Director, Stunt double, Villain, Plot twist, Cliffhanger, Remote, Subtitles, Oscar, Cooking show, Talent show, Nature documentary, News anchor, Spy movie, Space movie, Zombie movie, Binge watching

Halloween

Jack-o'-lantern, Trick-or-treat, Costume, Haunted house, Witch hat, Black cat, Skeleton, Candy corn, Cobweb, Graveyard, Cauldron, Bat, Mummy, Vampire, Scarecrow, Spider, Ghost, Zombie, Candy, Pumpkin patch, Monster, Full moon, Broomstick, Potion, Werewolf, Frankenstein, Candle, Fog machine, Caramel apple, Owl, Coffin, Spell book

Christmas

Santa Claus, Reindeer, Snowman, Christmas tree, Elf, Stocking, Candy cane, Gingerbread house, Mistletoe, Sleigh, Wrapping paper, Hot chocolate, Ugly sweater, Fireplace, Snowball fight, Carolers, North Pole, Advent calendar, Nutcracker, Wreath, Christmas lights, Presents, Eggnog, Fruitcake, Ice skating, Chimney, Holly, Snow globe, Christmas cookies, Angel, New Year's Eve, Secret Santa

Making your own word list

Good imposter words are nouns most players know, specific enough to give clues about, and not so narrow that one clue gives them away. “Penguin” works better than “bird” or “emperor penguin”. Pair each word with a hint that fits the category but could point to several words.