Pick letters to reveal the hidden word. Each wrong letter adds a part to the drawing, and you lose after seven wrong guesses. After three wrong guesses you get a hint.
Start with the vowels, especially E and A, then try common consonants like R, S, T and N. Once a few letters appear, think about which words fit the pattern.
Every word comes with a meaning, so even a lost round teaches you something.
Hangman strategy
- Vowels first. E, A and I appear in most English words, so start there.
- Then the common consonants. R, S, T, N and L fill in many gaps.
- Think in patterns. A word with a letter in the second and last position and an E near the end might end in -ED or -ER.
- Count the blanks. Long words often contain endings such as -ING, -TION and -MENT.
- Use the hint. It appears after three misses, and it is a meaning, not the word itself.
A short history
Hangman is a paper-and-pencil guessing game that is more than a century old. One player thinks of a word and the other guesses letters. Every wrong guess adds a line to a drawing, and the game ends when the drawing is finished. This version draws a simple gallows and gives each word a meaning, so you learn something even when you lose.
Frequently asked questions
How many wrong guesses are allowed?
Seven.
Is there a hint?
Yes. After three wrong guesses the meaning of the word is shown.
What words are used?
Useful English words, each with a short definition.