Imposter Game

Imposter game word generator

Every round starts with a secret word that the generator picks at random from the pack you choose. Set the number of players from 3 to 12, pick one of the 8 packs or Mixed, and the phone shows the word to everyone except the imposter. The 8 packs hold 40 words each, 320 in all. A word is not repeated during a session until its pack runs out, so you can keep playing without a list or a pen. To pick the word yourself, use the full list further down this page.

Playing in Spanish? Try the juego del impostor, with its own word packs written in Spanish.

How to play the imposter game

1. Set up the round. Choose the number of players and a word pack. Add names if you like; otherwise players are numbered.
2. Pass the phone. The first player takes it, taps Show my role, reads it, taps Hide it and pass the phone (the last player taps Hide it and start), and hands it to the next person. Look only at your own screen.
3. Find out who starts. After the last role is shown, the game picks a random player to speak first.
4. Give clues. In turn, each player says one word or short phrase about the secret word. The imposter has to sound like they know it.
5. Discuss and vote. The timer runs while the group argues. When it ends, or when you tap Vote now, everyone points at the player they suspect at the same moment.
6. Reveal. Tap Reveal the imposter to show the imposter and the word. Play another round; the game avoids picking the same player twice in a row.

Imposter game rules and scoring

• A clue must be one word or a short phrase. You may not say the secret word, spell it or give its first letter.
• Each player gives one clue per lap. Play a second lap of clues before the vote if the group wants more evidence.
• The vote is simultaneous. If the group picks the wrong player, the imposter wins the round.
• If the group picks the imposter, the imposter gets one guess at the secret word. A right guess wins the round for the imposter. A wrong guess wins it for the crew.

The phone only deals roles and runs the timer, so scores stay on paper. If you want a running score, use this one.

Scoring is optional. A single round is already a full game.

How to win as the crew and as the imposter

If you know the word

Give a clue that is specific enough to prove you know it and vague enough that a bluffer cannot copy it. Say “fur” for a cat, not “animal”. Listen to the clue that comes right before yours, because the imposter will lean on it.

If you are the imposter

Listen to the first two clues, then say something that fits both. Stay a little behind the group: you want to sound like someone who agrees, never someone who leads. If your turn is first, pick a clue that fits every word in the pack, such as “common” or “everyone has seen one”.

Clue examples

A strong clue narrows the field, and a weak one fits half the pack. These come from the packs on this page.

If you are leading the discussion

Ask each player one follow-up question about their clue. A real crew member can answer in a sentence. An imposter often repeats the clue or goes vague.

8 word packs, 320 words

Every word is a common noun that most players can describe in one clue. Choose Mixed to draw from all packs at once.

Imposter words list: all 320 words

Every word in the game, grouped by pack. Use them to pick a word by hand, to print a list for a classroom, or to check what the generator can deal. A few words, such as castle and bat, appear in two packs.

Jump to Animals Food and drink Places Jobs Sports and games Around the house Fantasy and fairy tales Halloween

Imposter game variations

• Two imposters. Better for groups of seven or more. The imposters do not know each other.
• Pack hint on. The imposter sees the pack name. Use it with younger players or in groups of ten or more.
• Silent round. Clues must be a single gesture instead of a word.
• Drawing round. Everyone draws one quick clue on paper instead of speaking. It pairs well with the Pictionary word generator.
• Short fuse. Pick the 2-minute timer and play ten rounds in a row for a party warm-up.

Need a quick tiebreaker between rounds? Settle it with a would you rather question.

Frequently asked questions