Choosing a good imposter word
In the imposter game everyone gives a one-word clue, so the secret word has to be something all the real players can point at without saying it. These lists are built for that: familiar things, grouped by category, sixteen at a time.
Choose a word everyone knows
The round only works if every real player can give a clue that fits.
Stay inside the category
A category narrows the clues, which is what forces the imposter to guess.
Skip words with one obvious clue
If one association is unavoidable, everyone gives the same clue and nobody learns anything.
Mix easy and tricky rounds
Start with foods and animals, then move to places and jobs once the group has the hang of it.
Every category
Breakfast Foods
- Pancakes
- Baked Beans
- Bacon
- Omelette
- Cereal
- Toast
- Bagel
- Croissant
- Porridge
- Yogurt
- Sausage
- Hash Browns
- Muffin
- Grapefruit
- Smoothie
- Doughnut
Zoo Animals
- Lion
- Elephant
- Giraffe
- Zebra
- Panda
- Kangaroo
- Penguin
- Gorilla
- Hippo
- Rhino
- Otter
- Flamingo
- Crocodile
- Meerkat
- Camel
- Sloth
Olympic Sports
- Swimming
- Gymnastics
- Archery
- Fencing
- Judo
- Rowing
- Hurdles
- Diving
- Boxing
- Cycling
- Weightlifting
- Marathon
- High Jump
- Table Tennis
- Skateboarding
- Sailing
Movie Genres
- Horror
- Comedy
- Romance
- Western
- Musical
- Superhero
- Documentary
- Fantasy
- Sci-Fi
- Action
- Mystery
- Animation
- War
- Crime
- Adventure
- Silent Film
Jobs
- Chef
- Pilot
- Nurse
- Plumber
- Teacher
- Farmer
- Lawyer
- Firefighter
- Barber
- Architect
- Journalist
- Electrician
- Dentist
- Astronaut
- Librarian
- Bus Driver
Holidays and Celebrations
- Birthday
- Wedding
- Halloween
- New Year
- Thanksgiving
- Easter
- Graduation
- Carnival
- Diwali
- Hanukkah
- Eid
- Baby Shower
- Anniversary
- Valentines Day
- Retirement
- Housewarming
Body Parts
- Elbow
- Ankle
- Shoulder
- Eyebrow
- Thumb
- Knee
- Spine
- Tongue
- Chin
- Wrist
- Heel
- Nostril
- Earlobe
- Ribs
- Jaw
- Hip
Weather
- Thunderstorm
- Blizzard
- Drizzle
- Heatwave
- Fog
- Hurricane
- Rainbow
- Hail
- Frost
- Tornado
- Drought
- Monsoon
- Sunshine
- Breeze
- Humidity
- Overcast
Musical Instruments
- Violin
- Piano
- Drums
- Flute
- Trumpet
- Harp
- Accordion
- Banjo
- Triangle
- Saxophone
- Tambourine
- Bagpipes
- Xylophone
- Clarinet
- Harmonica
- Ukulele
Games
- Chess
- Checkers
- Dominoes
- Charades
- Bingo
- Darts
- Backgammon
- Dice
- Cards
- Crossword
- Sudoku
- Jigsaw
- Hopscotch
- Tag
- Musical Chairs
- Marbles
Countries
- Japan
- Brazil
- Egypt
- Canada
- Italy
- India
- Kenya
- Norway
- Mexico
- Australia
- Greece
- Thailand
- Peru
- Morocco
- Iceland
- Vietnam
Superpowers
- Invisibility
- Flight
- Telepathy
- Super Speed
- Time Travel
- Shapeshifting
- Super Hearing
- Healing
- Super Strength
- X-Ray Vision
- Teleportation
- Immortality
- Weather Control
- Telekinesis
- Fire Breath
- Force Field
School Subjects
- Maths
- Biology
- History
- Geography
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Art
- Music
- Drama
- French
- Latin
- Economics
- Computing
- Woodwork
- Cooking
- Gym
In the Kitchen
- Kettle
- Blender
- Whisk
- Fridge
- Oven
- Toaster
- Colander
- Rolling Pin
- Chopping Board
- Grater
- Ladle
- Corkscrew
- Microwave
- Frying Pan
- Peeler
- Apron
Modes of Transport
- Bicycle
- Ferry
- Helicopter
- Bus
- Balloon
- Submarine
- Skateboard
- Canoe
- Motorbike
- Train
- Cable Car
- Hovercraft
- Rickshaw
- Scooter
- Sledge
- Taxi
Emotions
- Joy
- Anger
- Envy
- Boredom
- Pride
- Guilt
- Relief
- Curiosity
- Fear
- Embarrassment
- Excitement
- Loneliness
- Gratitude
- Disgust
- Nostalgia
- Surprise
Mythical Creatures
- Dragon
- Unicorn
- Phoenix
- Mermaid
- Griffin
- Centaur
- Minotaur
- Fairy
- Troll
- Yeti
- Kraken
- Werewolf
- Cyclops
- Genie
- Goblin
- Sphinx
Fashion Items
- Scarf
- Beret
- Gloves
- Sneakers
- Jeans
- Blazer
- Sundress
- Bow Tie
- Belt
- Poncho
- Sandals
- Hoodie
- Waistcoat
- Earrings
- Sunglasses
- Top Hat
Drinks
- Lemonade
- Espresso
- Milkshake
- Green Tea
- Hot Chocolate
- Smoothie
- Orange Juice
- Coconut Water
- Ginger Ale
- Iced Tea
- Milk
- Slushie
- Root Beer
- Sparkling Water
- Cola
- Bubble Tea
Hobbies
- Knitting
- Gardening
- Painting
- Birdwatching
- Baking
- Chess
- Photography
- Hiking
- Pottery
- Origami
- Fishing
- Juggling
- Calligraphy
- Karaoke
- Skateboarding
- Astronomy
Fruits
- Apple
- Banana
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Cherry
- Watermelon
- Kiwi
- Peach
- Blueberry
- Fig
- Pomegranate
- Coconut
- Lemon
- Grape
- Strawberry
- Plum
Desserts
- Cheesecake
- Brownie
- Apple Pie
- Ice Cream
- Tiramisu
- Trifle
- Macaron
- Pudding
- Cupcake
- Doughnut
- Churros
- Baklava
- Fudge
- Pavlova
- Eclair
- Cookie
Ocean Life
- Dolphin
- Octopus
- Jellyfish
- Seahorse
- Coral
- Whale
- Starfish
- Crab
- Shark
- Stingray
- Sea Turtle
- Clownfish
- Lobster
- Seal
- Eel
- Plankton
Space
- Comet
- Galaxy
- Black Hole
- UFO
- Mars
- Telescope
- Moon
- Saturn
- Gravity
- Nebula
- Rocket
- Astronaut
- Eclipse
- Orbit
- Space Station
- Constellation
Creepy Crawlies
- Ant
- Bee
- Butterfly
- Ladybird
- Dragonfly
- Grasshopper
- Beetle
- Moth
- Wasp
- Earthworm
- Caterpillar
- Termite
- Firefly
- Mosquito
- Spider
- Snail
On the Farm
- Tractor
- Barn
- Scarecrow
- Haystack
- Cow
- Chicken Coop
- Sheep
- Pitchfork
- Windmill
- Goat
- Silo
- Plough
- Beehive
- Duck Pond
- Fence
- Wheat
Birds
- Owl
- Eagle
- Penguin
- Parrot
- Flamingo
- Swan
- Woodpecker
- Peacock
- Pigeon
- Ostrich
- Robin
- Pelican
- Hummingbird
- Crow
- Seagull
- Turkey
Camping Gear
- Tent
- Sleeping Bag
- Torch
- Compass
- Campfire
- Marshmallows
- Backpack
- Canteen
- Map
- Hammock
- Hiking Boots
- Bug Spray
- Cooler
- Rope
- Penknife
- Firewood
Things in a Bathroom
- Toothbrush
- Mirror
- Shower
- Towel
- Soap
- Bathtub
- Hairdryer
- Shampoo
- Toilet
- Sink
- Razor
- Scales
- Bath Mat
- Cotton Buds
- Rubber Duck
- Comb
Pizza Toppings
- Pepperoni
- Mushroom
- Pineapple
- Olives
- Basil
- Anchovies
- Ham
- Sweetcorn
- Onion
- Peppers
- Spinach
- Bacon
- Chilli Flakes
- Mozzarella
- Tomato
- Garlic
Colours
- Crimson
- Turquoise
- Lavender
- Olive
- Gold
- Charcoal
- Peach
- Navy
- Silver
- Coral
- Mustard
- Magenta
- Rose
- Chestnut
- Ivory
- Emerald
Dance Styles
- Ballet
- Tango
- Salsa
- Tap
- Breakdance
- Waltz
- Hip Hop
- Flamenco
- Swing
- Line Dance
- Conga
- Belly Dance
- Samba
- Disco
- Folk Dance
- Charleston
Things That Fly
- Kite
- Helicopter
- Bat
- Frisbee
- Glider
- Drone
- Balloon
- Butterfly
- Rocket
- Paper Plane
- Boomerang
- Bumblebee
- Blimp
- Arrow
- Jet
- Sparrow
Tools
- Hammer
- Screwdriver
- Wrench
- Saw
- Drill
- Chisel
- Pliers
- Tape Measure
- Spirit Level
- Sandpaper
- Crowbar
- Clamp
- Trowel
- Axe
- Stapler
- Paint Roller
Things in a Classroom
- Whiteboard
- Globe
- Chalk
- Ruler
- Eraser
- Pencil Case
- Register
- Bell
- Desk
- Backpack
- Calculator
- Poster
- Bookshelf
- Clock
- Projector
- Homework
At the Beach
- Sandcastle
- Deckchair
- Seashell
- Surfboard
- Sunscreen
- Beach Ball
- Flip Flops
- Lifeguard
- Pier
- Bucket
- Seagull
- Ice Cream
- Seaweed
- Parasol
- Rock Pool
- Towel
Pets
- Hamster
- Goldfish
- Budgie
- Rabbit
- Tortoise
- Kitten
- Puppy
- Parrot
- Guinea Pig
- Gecko
- Ferret
- Pony
- Canary
- Chinchilla
- Hedgehog
- Tarantula
Vegetables
- Carrot
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Aubergine
- Garlic
- Beetroot
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Radish
- Leek
- Sweetcorn
- Asparagus
- Cabbage
- Pea
Deal a word without writing it down
The generator picks a category and a secret word, then passes the phone round so each player sees theirs in private. Or put a sixteen-word board on every phone with Table Party’s Imposter.
Imposter game words questions
What are good words for the imposter game?
Pick words everybody at the table will recognise, from one clear category: foods, animals, places, jobs. A word that only some players know gives the imposter an easy tell.
How many imposter game categories are there here?
38 categories, each with 16 words, so 608 words in all. They are the same lists Table Party’s Imposter deals from.
Should the imposter be told the category?
Usually yes: it gives them something to build a clue from, so rounds last longer. Leave the category out for a harder game where the imposter has to listen first.
Can I use my own words?
Yes. Any word your group knows works. Choose a category, write a word on paper, or use the lists here as inspiration and let the generator do the dealing.
What makes a bad imposter word?
Words with one obvious clue (a word whose only association is its rhyme, say) and words only part of the group knows. Both hand the imposter or the crowd an unfair advantage.