Party games
Dictionary game
MattelLaura Robinson, Paul Toyne1984
- players
- 4–10
- minutes
- 45
- years
- 12+
In the box
A dictionary, paper and pencils
Box details
- Designers
- Laura Robinson, Paul Toyne
- Publisher
- Mattel
- Mechanics
- Paper and PencilVoting
Where to buy it
Near you and online
In a shop
Within 50 km.
Online
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The basics
Write a definition believable enough to pass for the real one, and spot the genuine one among the fakes. The leader announces a word nobody knows, everyone invents a definition, then the leader reads them all out with the real one, in random order, and everyone votes for the one they think is genuine. You score 1 point per player fooled and 2 points for spotting the real one, over as many rounds as there are players, so that everyone leads once.
The rules, step by step
Setup
A dictionary, Paper and pencils, Rotating leader
- A dictionary, paper, pencils.
- The leader role passes on each round.
How to play
Unknown word announced, 1 definition each, Vote for the real one
- The leader looks up a word nobody knows and announces it.
- Everyone writes a plausible definition. The leader copies out the real one.
- The leader reads all the definitions aloud, in random order.
- Everyone votes for the one they think is genuine.
Scoring
Player fooled: 1 point, Real one found: 2 points, Leader: 2 if nobody
- 1 point for each player fooled by your definition.
- 2 points for spotting the real definition.
- The leader scores 2 points if nobody spots the real definition.
End of the game
1 round per player
- Play as many rounds as there are players, so that everyone leads once.
House rules and pitfalls
A good fake definition imitates the dictionary's tone: plain, a little dry, never funny.
- A good fake definition imitates the dictionary's tone: plain, a little dry, never funny.
Going further
Frequently asked questions · In the same family
Frequently asked questions
What is the idea?
A rare word nobody knows is chosen; everyone invents a plausible definition, and you must unmask the real one among the fakes.
How does a round work?
The leader announces the word and writes down its real definition. The others each invent one. The leader shuffles everything and reads all the definitions aloud.
How do you score?
You vote for the definition you think is real. You score by finding the right one, and above all by collecting the others' votes on your fake definition.
Do you really need a dictionary?
Yes, as the source of the words and the judge of the real definition. The strangest words make the best rounds.
How do you win?
Points add up over several words. The player best at imitating dictionary style often beats the most learned one.