Otter
Hint for the imposter: River
Clues: playful, whiskers, clams, floating.
Imposter game with hints
In the hint version of the imposter game, the imposter gets no secret word. They get a hint instead, either the category or one hint word, and have to bluff. Below are 50+ words with a hint word for the imposter and clues for everyone else.
Play free →Set Imposter gets to No word to play with a category hint.
How to play with hints
- Pick a secret word. Use the list below, or tap the word generator. Everyone except the imposter gets this word.
- Give the imposter a hint. The imposter gets no word. They know they're the imposter, and they get only a hint to bluff from.
- Go around with clues. Each player says one clue. The crew needs clues that prove they know the word without giving it away.
- Vote. Everyone votes for who they think is the imposter. Catch them and the crew wins. If they survive, the imposter wins.
Two kinds of hint
Category as the hint
The imposter hears only the topic, like “Animals”. This is the easier setup because the host doesn't have to think of anything, and it's how No word works in our free game.
Hint word
The imposter gets one word that points near the secret word, like “River” for Otter. It gives them more to work with and makes the round harder for the crew. Use the words below.
Animals: hint words and clues
Hummingbird
Hint for the imposter: Nectar
Clues: tiny, hovering, fast wings, flowers.
Flamingo
Hint for the imposter: Lagoon
Clues: pink, one leg, lawn ornament, shrimp.
Walrus
Hint for the imposter: Arctic
Clues: tusks, blubber, mustache, ice.
Penguin
Hint for the imposter: Antarctica
Clues: tuxedo, waddle, fish, huddle.
Owl
Hint for the imposter: Night
Clues: hoot, wise, barn, silent.
Octopus
Hint for the imposter: Reef
Clues: tentacles, ink, suckers, clever.
Giraffe
Hint for the imposter: Savanna
Clues: tall, neck, spots, leaves.
Peacock
Hint for the imposter: Feather
Clues: colorful, strut, tail, proud.
Beaver
Hint for the imposter: Wood
Clues: dam, teeth, flat tail, lodge.
Kangaroo
Hint for the imposter: Australia
Clues: pouch, hop, boxing, joey.
Bat
Hint for the imposter: Cave
Clues: wings, upside down, echo, Dracula.
Movies & Books: hint words and clues
Lord of the Rings
Hint for the imposter: Quest
Clues: hobbit, wizard, Mordor, trilogy.
Harry Potter
Hint for the imposter: Magic
Clues: wand, owl, scar, Hogwarts.
Fight Club
Hint for the imposter: Secret
Clues: soap, rules, basement, Brad Pitt.
Star Wars
Hint for the imposter: Galaxy
Clues: lightsaber, Force, droid, Jedi.
Titanic
Hint for the imposter: Ocean
Clues: iceberg, door, Rose, sinking.
Frozen
Hint for the imposter: Winter
Clues: snowman, Elsa, castle, sisters.
Shrek
Hint for the imposter: Swamp
Clues: ogre, donkey, layers, onions.
Jurassic Park
Hint for the imposter: Island
Clues: dinosaur, amber, T. rex, fence.
The Matrix
Hint for the imposter: Code
Clues: red pill, Neo, bullets, sunglasses.
Spider-Man
Hint for the imposter: New York
Clues: web, mask, Peter, uncle.
Batman
Hint for the imposter: Hero
Clues: cape, Robin, Joker, Gotham.
Food & Drink: hint words and clues
Pizza
Hint for the imposter: Oven
Clues: cheese, slice, delivery, crust.
Sushi
Hint for the imposter: Rice
Clues: raw, roll, chopsticks, wasabi.
Taco
Hint for the imposter: Crunch
Clues: salsa, tortilla, Tuesday, Mexico.
Pancake
Hint for the imposter: Breakfast
Clues: syrup, flip, stack, griddle.
Popcorn
Hint for the imposter: Cinema
Clues: butter, kernel, microwave, salty.
Ice Cream
Hint for the imposter: Summer
Clues: cone, scoop, truck, melting.
Coffee
Hint for the imposter: Morning
Clues: beans, caffeine, mug, barista.
Chocolate
Hint for the imposter: Sweet
Clues: cocoa, bar, Valentine's, melts.
Burger
Hint for the imposter: Grill
Clues: bun, patty, fries, drive-through.
Places: hint words and clues
Beach
Hint for the imposter: Vacation
Clues: sand, waves, towel, sunscreen.
Volcano
Hint for the imposter: Island
Clues: lava, eruption, crater, ash.
Desert
Hint for the imposter: Heat
Clues: sand, cactus, camel, oasis.
Lighthouse
Hint for the imposter: Coast
Clues: beam, ships, tower, keeper.
Airport
Hint for the imposter: Travel
Clues: gate, passport, luggage, runway.
School
Hint for the imposter: Bus
Clues: teacher, homework, recess, locker.
Hospital
Hint for the imposter: Emergency
Clues: doctor, nurse, scrubs, stretcher.
Library
Hint for the imposter: Quiet
Clues: books, shelves, card, borrow.
Castle
Hint for the imposter: King
Clues: moat, tower, knight, drawbridge.
Jungle
Hint for the imposter: Green
Clues: monkeys, vines, Tarzan, humid.
Everyday Things: hint words and clues
Umbrella
Hint for the imposter: Weather
Clues: folding, handle, drizzle, Mary Poppins.
Ladder
Hint for the imposter: Climb
Clues: rungs, roof, painter, tall.
Candle
Hint for the imposter: Flame
Clues: wax, wick, birthday, scented.
Mirror
Hint for the imposter: Bathroom
Clues: reflection, selfie, Snow White, glass.
Backpack
Hint for the imposter: School
Clues: zipper, straps, hiking, books.
Toothbrush
Hint for the imposter: Morning
Clues: bristles, paste, sink, two minutes.
Guitar
Hint for the imposter: Band
Clues: strings, pick, solo, frets.
Balloon
Hint for the imposter: Party
Clues: helium, pop, string, float.
Clock
Hint for the imposter: Time
Clues: hands, tick, wall, alarm.
Sunglasses
Hint for the imposter: Summer
Clues: shades, lenses, beach, cool.
WiFi
Hint for the imposter: Internet
Clues: password, router, bars, signal.
Phone Charger
Hint for the imposter: Battery
Clues: cable, plug, outlet, dead.
How to give good clues
As the crew: stay a little vague
“Whiskers” proves you know Otter without handing it to the imposter. “Floats holding hands” gives it away. Pick a clue that fits the word without naming it.
As the imposter: go second to last
If your group lets players choose the order, wait. Every clue you hear narrows the word down, and a safe general clue sounds fine after three good ones.
Don't repeat a clue
A repeated clue tells the table nothing and looks suspicious. Many groups ban it outright.
Watch for clues that fit anything
“It's nice” could describe every word. That's usually the imposter buying time, so ask for a sharper clue on the next round.
Frequently asked questions
What is the imposter game with hints?
It's the version where the imposter gets no secret word, only a hint: the category or one hint word. They know they're the imposter and have to bluff from the hint and the other players' clues. It's also spelled the impostor game with hints.
What makes a good hint word?
A word that points near the secret word without naming it: River for Otter, or Quest for Lord of the Rings. If the hint nearly gives away the word, the imposter has it too easy. If it's unrelated, they can't bluff at all.
Can you say the hint word in the imposter game?
There's no official rule, so agree before the round starts. Saying it is a risky clue for the imposter anyway, because a hint word is often general enough to sound suspicious. To make the round harder for the imposter, ban it.
Does the imposter know they're the imposter?
In the hint version, yes: getting a hint instead of a word tells them. In the classic close-word version they get a similar word instead, so they may not realise.
What's the difference between a hint and a clue?
The hint is what the imposter is given before the round. Clues are what every player says out loud during it.
Can I play the imposter game with hints online?
Yes, for free with no download. In pass and play or the word generator, set Imposter gets to No word. The imposter then sees the category as their hint. To use a hint word instead, pick one from this page and tell the imposter privately.