If you love words, there is no better pastime than to play fun word games online. Not only do word games help you ward off boredom, but studies show playing word games can keep your mind sharp.

The following are some of the best free word games you can play online with your laptop or your mobile phone.

For Puzzle Lovers: Crossword Cove

If you enjoy crossword puzzles, Pogo Games brings you Crossword Cove. Puzzles change frequently, so each time you visit the game you’ll find something new.

  • Variety of background themes.

  • Turn the timer on or off.

  • Puzzles change frequently.

  • Clue difficulty is hard.

  • Full screen requires an account.

  • Limited features.

There are three difficulty levels to choose from, and the clues aren’t overly simple even on the easiest level. Your efforts are timed, so you’ll feel the pressure to finish the puzzle in record time.

Test Your Brain: Scramble Words

AARP knows that word games are great for keeping older minds sharp, that’s why you’ll find some great word games offered on the AARP website.

  • Addictive and fun to play.

  • Background music and sound effects.

  • Timed play adds excitement.

  • No full screen option.

  • Only five letters available.

  • Can get tedious after a while.

Scramble Words is an addictive game that provides you with a row of letters at the bottom. Your mission is to unscramble the letters to make as many words as you can in the allotted time.

Calm Your Nerves: Word Zen

This is one of the most unique word games available online, offered by Big Fish Games. The game starts out with a game board completely full of letters that you can use to create words. Just select the letters across the board one at a time to create the longest word you can in the bottom row.

  • Unique word game.

  • Audio effects.

  • Variety of possible solutions.

  • Static background.

  • No music theme.

  • Can get tedious to play.

As the letters run out, the challenge to create words gets harder. Your goal is to hit your goal score before time runs out. If you do, you move to the next level!

Arcade Fun: Word Bites

Word Bites by Gamesgames.com is a faced-paced, addictive word game. It’s more of an arcade-style game than most. With the ability to swipe the mouse across the board in any direction to create words, the possibilities to win are plenty.

  • Fun, arcade style word game.

  • Highly addictive.

  • Fast paced.

  • Background music can get annoying.

  • Game board is small on most screens.

  • Early levels end too quickly.

Each time you discover enough words and hit the level score goal, the game board explodes with animation as you level up.

Sooth Your Nerves: Word Wipe

Word Wipe by Great Day Games is the kind of word game you’ll want to play during your lunch break to get your mind off your worries. The game board features more letters than other games, but the difficulty level for finding words is pretty high. The time limit per level is also very challenging.

  • Slower paced.

  • Calming background colors.

  • No annoying music.

  • Short time limit.

  • High difficulty level.

  • Plain theme.

However, the soothing background colors and lack of distracting music makes this a very calming way to pass the time.

Under Pressure: Wild West Hangman

If you remember playing hangman as a kid, Wild West Hangman puts a western spin on the game. Instead of hanging a stick man with your wrong letter guesses, you’ll end up hanging a cowboy.

  • Fun graphics.

  • Edge of your seat action.

  • Variety of topics.

  • Ads before the game.

  • Very simple game.

  • Very easy for some players.

When the game starts you can choose from six topic areas. You’re allowed six incorrect letter guesses before the cowboy is hung and the game is over.

Pass the Time: Scrabble

Anyone who loves words usually enjoys a good Scrabble game. This Scrabble simulator by Pogo games is about as close to the real thing as you can get. Match your vocabulary against a computer opponent. Don’t take too long though, because time is limited.

  • Excellent Scrabble simulator.

  • Very addictive to play.

  • Automatic scoring.

  • Ads every few rounds.

  • High difficulty.

  • Time consuming.

This is a great way to learn Scrabble strategy against an opponent who will make you earn every point.

Fitting Patterns: Letter Logic

Letter Logic by Mind Games is perfect for anyone who loves puzzles. It’s a play on standard crossword puzzles, in that you don’t have to worry about clues. You’ll start with one letter, and try to fit the words on the left of the screen into the crossword puzzle spaces.

  • Easy to play.

  • Great for puzzle lovers.

  • Soothing background music.

  • Plain design.

  • May be boring for some.

  • Difficult to complete.

As you work your way through the puzzle you’ll run out of words, making completing the board more difficult. But with patience and logic, you’ll fit every word into the puzzle.

Play Charades: Skribbl.Io

If you love playing charades with friends, you’re going to love Skribbl-Io. You’ll see all of the other players in cartoon figures along the left side of the scribble board. As one player scribbles clues on the whiteboard, everyone can guess as quickly and as often as they like.

  • Addictive to play.

  • Play against other internet players.

  • Take turns to draw or guess.

  • Amateur graphics.

  • Some players break the rules.

  • Sometimes difficult to guess.

  • Requires agreement with privacy policy to start

The moment you type the right word, you win! It’s an addictive, online version of charades that’ll keep you entertained for hours.

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