Rules · 4–10 players · one shared device
How to play Word Spy
Word Spy is a quick pass-and-play imposter game for friends. Most players get the same secret word. One player gets a related word and tries to blend in.
Word Spy rules, step by step
- Add 4–10 players. Enter each person’s name on the shared phone or tablet. One imposter is selected for the round.
- Pass the device privately. Each person taps to reveal their own word, picture, and simple meaning. Hide the screen before handing it on.
- Give one short clue. Go around the group. Say a clue that fits your word, but do not say the word itself.
- Discuss the clues. Compare what people said and decide who may have received the related word.
- Vote in secret. Pass the phone from player to player and choose the person you suspect.
- See the reveal. Word Spy shows who the imposter was, the two related words, each word’s meaning and picture, and the votes.
Can you play Word Spy with one phone?
Yes. Word Spy is designed for pass-and-play: everyone uses the same device, and the secret-word screen is hidden before each handoff. Keep the phone facing the current player during private reveals and votes.
What makes the two words related?
The crew receives a familiar word and the imposter receives a different but related one. Both words share an idea or category, so hints can overlap while still giving the group something to notice. Each word also comes with a short plain-language definition and a picture.