Word Games for Adults

Word games are an exciting way for individuals of all ages to expand their vocabulary, socialize with friends and keep their minds sharp. As we reach adulthood, we tend to spend less time playing games as other activities in our lives take precedent, but we shouldn't discard the educational and emotional value the right social games can provide. Here are some great word games that could be a valuable use of your time.

Board Games

Scrabble

Scrabble is the kingpin of social word games, adored by all ages the world over. Scrabble is a board-and-tile game designed for up to four players. The aim of the game is to score more points than your opponent by creating words with the tiles you have. You can use the word finder to help you find high scoring words.

Scrabble is an excellent choice for adult players who want to expand their vocabulary using words they wouldn't usually use in their daily lives. Players will also be exposed to words that others come up with and can even challenge a word if they don't think it exists.

Words with Friends 2

Words with Friends is an online game that is essentially a modern remake of Scrabble. Some core rule changes allow it to adapt more to an online setting and make it great for adults who may have a busy schedule and can only spare a short amount of time when they get the opportunity.

The rule changes are that there are no time limits for word placement, there are no word challenges, and players can have as many attempts as they like to place a correct word. These differences can make it easier for a player who has never played a regular game of Scrabble to become familiar with the gameplay in a slow-paced, easy-to-learn environment.

Crosswords

Crosswords are a great solo word game that can be played at your own pace. Crosswords are grids of squares, both horizontally and vertically, and hold spaces for words that fit according to a list of clues about what the word could be. This engages problem-solving skills and encourages the player to learn the words they didn't get.

Regularly completing crosswords has even been linked to a sharper mental state in later life, so completing them during adulthood is probably an excellent idea.

Crosswords are generally available in crossword puzzle books, free and paid newspapers, and widely available online and through the various app stores. The New York Times offers an excellent paid daily crossword that many players participate in and share answers and ideas about, edited by the Puzzlemaster Will Shortz.

Word-related Game Show Games.

Many popular game shows are based on words, and some of them have apps so players like you can play on-demand, without the hopes of prize money, of course. Here are a couple of classics you might want to check out for a fun approach to word-based games that will still get your brain into gear.

Lingo

Lingo is a word game with similarities to bingo, but rather than waiting for a number to be called, players have to guess a five-letter word in order to mark their 'Lingo' card. While the game show is typically played with two opposing groups, the on-demand app version offers a single-player experience. Lingo is available on mobile devices and can be found in the Google Play Store on Android and the Appstore for iOS devices.

Fun fact: The TV Gameshow was initially hosted by Michael Raegan, the adopted son of former US President Ronald Raegan.

Countdown

Countdown is a British game show that consists of three segments, a letters round, a numbers round, and a conundrum. The letters round involves one player picking nine letters selected at random between vowels and consonants; then all players have thirty seconds in order to make the longest word they can using the letters available.

The mobile app offers excellent replayability, and playing regularly should allow adults to expand their vocabulary and think outside the box.

Countdown is an excellent game for adults who want to push their creativity and wordplay through anagrams. The mathematical element in the numbers game may also be enjoyable for some, but that can be disabled in the app.