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Imposter game words

A good secret word for the imposter game is one everybody at the table knows, with lots of different things to say about it, but no single clue that gives it away. Here are 345 that work, sorted into 23 categories, all family friendly.

Updated October 22, 2026

New to the game? Everyone gets the same secret word except one player, the imposter. Take turns giving a one-word clue, then vote on who's faking it. The full rules are on the Imposter page.

Playing with paper

One person is the dealer for the round. They pick a word from the list below and don't play that round.
They write the word on a slip of paper for every player but one, and "Imposter" on the last slip. Fold them and shuffle.
Everyone draws a slip and keeps it hidden. Tell the imposter the category (say "Food") so they have a fighting chance.
Go around the circle giving one-word clues, two or three times, then vote. A caught imposter gets one guess at the word to win anyway.

Want everyone to play, with no dealer? Imposter on Party Brawls deals the words to everyone's phone for free, and you can play online with new people too.

Jump to a category

Secret words by category

Food

Pizza
Sushi
Taco
Pancake
Spaghetti
Burger
Hot dog
Popcorn
Sandwich
Soup
Salad
French fries
Burrito
Fried chicken
Mac and cheese

Sweets & desserts

Ice cream
Cupcake
Donut
Chocolate
Cookie
Brownie
Lollipop
Cotton candy
Cheesecake
Pie
Gummy bears
Marshmallow
Pudding
Popsicle
Candy cane

Animals

Elephant
Giraffe
Penguin
Kangaroo
Lion
Monkey
Zebra
Owl
Snake
Frog
Panda
Tiger
Rabbit
Turtle
Bat

Under the sea

Shark
Whale
Dolphin
Octopus
Jellyfish
Starfish
Crab
Seahorse
Lobster
Clownfish
Sea turtle
Coral
Seaweed
Stingray
Submarine

Places in town

Library
Hospital
Airport
Zoo
Movie theater
Gym
Bank
Bakery
Supermarket
Park
Museum
Restaurant
Post office
Fire station
Police station

Countries

France
Japan
Mexico
Italy
Egypt
Brazil
Canada
Australia
China
India
England
Germany
Spain
Greece
Russia

Jobs

Doctor
Teacher
Firefighter
Chef
Pilot
Dentist
Police officer
Farmer
Astronaut
Plumber
Mail carrier
Lifeguard
Artist
Mechanic
Nurse

Sports

Soccer
Basketball
Baseball
Tennis
Golf
Swimming
Football
Hockey
Volleyball
Bowling
Boxing
Skateboarding
Surfing
Skiing
Gymnastics

Around the house

Couch
Bed
Bathtub
Television
Lamp
Mirror
Stairs
Closet
Window
Doorbell
Washing machine
Vacuum
Toilet
Fireplace
Bookshelf

In the kitchen

Fridge
Microwave
Toaster
Oven
Blender
Kettle
Frying pan
Spatula
Whisk
Cutting board
Dishwasher
Sink
Coffee maker
Rolling pin
Measuring cup

Things that move

Car
Bicycle
Train
Airplane
Helicopter
Boat
Motorcycle
Bus
Rocket
Skateboard
Scooter
Tractor
Fire truck
Ambulance
Submarine

Nature & weather

Rainbow
Volcano
Thunderstorm
Snowflake
Tornado
Waterfall
Desert
Mountain
Forest
Sunset
Cloud
Rain
Ocean
Island
Cave

Space

Moon
Sun
Rocket
Astronaut
Alien
Planet
Star
Comet
Telescope
Black hole
Saturn
Mars
Satellite
Meteor
Galaxy

School

Backpack
Pencil
Homework
Teacher
Recess
Cafeteria
Library
School bus
Principal
Locker
Test
Chalkboard
Science fair
Gym class
Field trip

Holidays & parties

Birthday
Halloween
Christmas
Thanksgiving
New Year's Eve
Valentine's Day
Easter
Fourth of July
Wedding
Sleepover
Baby shower
Graduation
Pool party
Surprise party
Piñata

Fantasy & fairy tales

Dragon
Unicorn
Wizard
Mermaid
Castle
Princess
Knight
Witch
Giant
Fairy
Ghost
Vampire
Troll
Genie
Pirate

Clothes & accessories

Sneakers
Sunglasses
Hat
Scarf
Pajamas
Jeans
Hoodie
Swimsuit
Raincoat
Mittens
Socks
Tie
Backpack
Belt
Watch

Hobbies

Painting
Gardening
Baking
Reading
Fishing
Knitting
Photography
Dancing
Singing
Video games
Puzzles
Camping
Hiking
Yoga
Skateboarding

Music

Guitar
Piano
Drums
Violin
Trumpet
Microphone
Headphones
Concert
Karaoke
Saxophone
Flute
Harmonica
Tambourine
Banjo
Choir

Toys & games

Yo-yo
Kite
Teddy bear
Lego
Jump rope
Board game
Puzzle
Doll
Water gun
Slinky
Rubik's cube
Bubbles
Hula hoop
Marbles
Frisbee

Technology

Phone
Laptop
Robot
Camera
Television
Video game
Headphones
Wifi
Smartwatch
Printer
Drone
Selfie
Charger
Email
Tablet

Camping & outdoors

Tent
Campfire
Sleeping bag
Flashlight
Marshmallow
Backpack
Compass
Canoe
Fishing rod
Map
Lantern
Bug spray
Hammock
Binoculars
Cabin

Body

Nose
Elbow
Tooth
Knee
Eyebrow
Belly button
Thumb
Hair
Ear
Tongue
Heart
Shoulder
Toe
Finger
Lips

Hint words for the imposter

For younger players or a first game, give the imposter a hint: one word that's related to the secret but doesn't give it away. It helps them bluff without making it easy.

Secret word	Imposter's hint
Pizza	Oven
Penguin	Tuxedo
Library	Quiet
Chef	Apron
Hockey	Ice
Lamp	Light
Boat	Water
Black hole	Pull
Halloween	Costume
Dragon	Fire

How to pick a good secret word

Everyone has to know it. If one person has never heard of the word, they'll look like the imposter. Skip niche words with kids or a mixed crowd.
Lots of possible clues. "Pizza" works: oven, slice, cheese, delivery, Friday. A word with only one obvious clue makes the crew's job too hard.
Not too broad. "Food" or "animal" is a category, not a secret. The imposter could bluff all day.
Mix up the categories. Three food rounds in a row and the imposter starts guessing "something you eat" and getting away with it.
Bigger group, two imposters. With 6 or more players, try two imposters who know about each other.

Questions

What are good words for the imposter game?

Everyday things everyone knows that you can describe in lots of ways: foods like pizza or tacos, animals like penguin or giraffe, places like an airport or a library, and jobs like firefighter or chef. Avoid words that are too broad or that only some players know.

Should the imposter know the category?

Usually, yes. Knowing it's "Food" gives the imposter a fair chance to blend in. For a harder game, don't tell them, or give them a hint word instead.

How many words do we need?

One per round. A game of 5 rounds needs 5 words, ideally from different categories. Cross them off as you go so nobody gets the same word twice.