Imposter game words

Imposter Game Words: 200 Ideas to Play With

Updated September 2026

Good imposter words are specific enough to describe in one word but broad enough that clues can hide. Pick one from a category below, or let Twentyroll deal them: start a room, and every player’s phone gets its own secret word, with the imposter’s word different. It works around a table or on a video call, and nobody can peek.

Start a room

What makes a good imposter word?

A concrete thing most people know, with several different things you could say about it. Pizza works: cheese, slice, delivery, Italy. Moon is weaker, because almost everyone says night. Avoid words that are really rare, since nobody can describe them, and anything that only one person in the group would know.

Pick one category per game so the imposter has a fighting chance of blending in, and switch categories every word or two to keep everyone guessing.

Food

Pizza
Sushi
Pancake
Burrito
Popcorn
Lasagna
Croissant
Dumpling
Taco
Omelette
Cheesecake
Spaghetti
Doughnut
Curry
Waffle
Hot dog
Smoothie
Nachos
Pretzel
Ramen
Avocado
Brownie
Kebab
Porridge
Lemonade

Animals

Penguin
Giraffe
Octopus
Kangaroo
Hedgehog
Flamingo
Crocodile
Owl
Squirrel
Dolphin
Camel
Peacock
Sloth
Jellyfish
Zebra
Hamster
Panda
Bat
Parrot
Tortoise
Wolf
Snail
Koala
Shark
Llama

Places

Airport
Library
Hospital
Beach
Museum
Supermarket
Gym
Cinema
Zoo
Castle
Lighthouse
Farm
Stadium
Train station
Hotel
Desert
Volcano
Jungle
Bakery
Campsite
Ski resort
Aquarium
Theme park
Laundromat
Space station

Movies and TV

Superhero
Zombie
Vampire
Detective
Pirate
Wizard
Robot
Alien
Cowboy
Secret agent
Princess
Ghost
Mermaid
Ninja
Villain
Sitcom
Cartoon
Documentary
Game show
Soap opera
Cliffhanger
Sequel
Red carpet
Blockbuster
Plot twist

Jobs

Dentist
Firefighter
Pilot
Chef
Teacher
Astronaut
Plumber
Lifeguard
Surgeon
Farmer
Journalist
Magician
Lawyer
Barber
Librarian
Electrician
Waiter
Architect
Zookeeper
Photographer
Mechanic
Nurse
Taxi driver
Scientist
Judge

Everyday objects

Umbrella
Toothbrush
Pillow
Mirror
Scissors
Candle
Backpack
Stapler
Kettle
Remote control
Sunglasses
Wallet
Ladder
Blanket
Hairdryer
Keys
Headphones
Calendar
Bucket
Doorbell
Coat hanger
Notebook
Frying pan
Light bulb
Toaster

Sports and hobbies

Tennis
Surfing
Chess
Bowling
Yoga
Karate
Golf
Knitting
Skateboarding
Fishing
Boxing
Gardening
Baseball
Rock climbing
Ice skating
Painting
Juggling
Archery
Cycling
Volleyball
Karaoke
Darts
Hiking
Swimming
Crossword

Holidays and seasons

Christmas
Halloween
Easter
Thanksgiving
New Year’s Eve
Valentine’s Day
Birthday
Summer
Winter
Autumn
Spring
Snowman
Fireworks
Pumpkin
Advent calendar
Heatwave
Snow day
Barbecue
Costume party
Carnival
Diwali
Hanukkah
Lunar New Year
Mother’s Day
Summer camp

Funny imposter words

For a group that wants the clues to get silly.

Rubber duck
Whoopee cushion
Hiccups
Unicorn
Selfie stick
Bubble wrap
Mullet
Onesie
Traffic cone
Garden gnome
Lava lamp
Sock puppet
Bouncy castle
Monocle
Toupee
Clown car
Airplane food
Moustache
Inflatable flamingo
Group project

Work-safe imposter words

For the team call, where nobody wants a clue they have to explain to HR.

Spreadsheet
Coffee break
Printer
Deadline
Whiteboard
Lanyard
Inbox
Commute
Lunch break
Name badge
Water cooler
Swivel chair
Sticky note
Elevator
Business card
Calendar invite
Password
Presentation
Office plant
Team photo

Near-miss pairs for the undercover version

In the undercover version the imposter doesn’t get a blank: they get a word close to the crew’s, so their clues sound almost right. Give the crew the first word and the imposter the second (or the other way round).

Flute / Clarinet
Lake / Pond
Muffin / Cupcake
Pen / Pencil
Train / Tram
Moth / Butterfly
Soup / Stew
Jam / Honey
Bench / Stool
Crocodile / Alligator
Mug / Cup
Snow / Hail
Rugby / American football
Cave / Tunnel
Taxi / Bus
Bakery / Café
Saxophone / Trumpet
Kite / Balloon
Hat / Helmet
Cottage / Cabin
Cheetah / Leopard
Picnic / Barbecue
Library / Bookshop
Storm / Hurricane
Hot chocolate / Milkshake
Pirate / Viking
Envelope / Parcel
Ferris wheel / Roller coaster
Dentist / Doctor
Pillow / Cushion

How do you play with everyone on their own phone?

A list means someone has to choose the word and hand it out without the imposter noticing. On Twentyroll the game does that part, and it plays the undercover version with its own word pairs.

1
Start a room
Pick Imposter. Hosting needs a free account.
2
Share the code
3 to 12 players join on their own phones with a name. No app, no account.
3
The game deals the words
Every phone shows its own secret word, and the imposter’s is different. Nobody sees anyone else’s.
4
Clue, argue, vote
The game collects the one-word clues and counts the vote. A caught imposter gets one last guess at the crew’s word.

The full imposter game rules

Frequently asked questions

What is a good word for the imposter game?

A concrete noun most people know and can describe in a few different ways without giving it away: Pizza, Lighthouse, Dentist. Avoid words with one obvious clue, like Moon, and very rare words nobody can describe.

How do you pick a random word for the imposter game?

Pick a category from the lists above and point at a word without looking. Or let Twentyroll deal them: every player’s phone gets its own secret word, with the imposter’s word different, so nobody has to choose or read words out.

What is the undercover version of the imposter game?

Instead of getting no word, the imposter gets one close to the crew’s, like Lake against Pond. Their clues sound almost right, which makes them much harder to catch. It is how Twentyroll plays.