Imposter game words with hints for every word
Each secret word below comes with three clues you can say out loud, from safe to giveaway. A safe clue fits lots of words, so the imposter learns nothing from it. A giveaway practically names the word, so the imposter learns it too. All 110 words come from our Impostor app, and the label under each word is the hint the app shows when someone taps Reveal a hint.
Words and clues by category
Read each row left to right: every clue gives away more than the one before. Your first clue in a round should usually be the safe one.
Food
Pizza
App hint: Main dish
- Safe
- Round
- Medium
- Slice
- Giveaway
- Pepperoni
Sushi
App hint: Main dish
- Safe
- Roll
- Medium
- Raw
- Giveaway
- Wasabi
Pasta
App hint: Bread or grain
- Safe
- Boil
- Medium
- Shapes
- Giveaway
- Spaghetti
Taco
App hint: Main dish
- Safe
- Crunchy
- Medium
- Folded
- Giveaway
- Tuesday
Bacon
App hint: Breakfast item
- Safe
- Smell
- Medium
- Crispy
- Giveaway
- Pig
Bread
App hint: Bread or grain
- Safe
- Oven
- Medium
- Crust
- Giveaway
- Toast
Lobster
App hint: Meat or seafood
- Safe
- Red
- Medium
- Claws
- Giveaway
- Maine
Popcorn
App hint: Bread or grain
- Safe
- Salty
- Medium
- Bucket
- Giveaway
- Kernel
Avocado
App hint: Fruit
- Safe
- Green
- Medium
- Pit
- Giveaway
- Guacamole
Ice Cream
App hint: Sweet treat
- Safe
- Cold
- Medium
- Cone
- Giveaway
- Sprinkles
Animals
Chicken
App hint: Farm or pet animal
- Safe
- Feathers
- Medium
- Eggs
- Giveaway
- Nuggets
Moose
App hint: Wild mammal
- Safe
- Brown
- Medium
- Antlers
- Giveaway
- Canada
Penguin
App hint: Bird
- Safe
- Tuxedo
- Medium
- Ice
- Giveaway
- Waddle
Octopus
App hint: Sea creature
- Safe
- Ink
- Medium
- Tentacles
- Giveaway
- Eight
Kangaroo
App hint: Wild mammal
- Safe
- Jump
- Medium
- Pouch
- Giveaway
- Australia
Owl
App hint: Bird
- Safe
- Night
- Medium
- Wise
- Giveaway
- Hoot
Shark
App hint: Sea creature
- Safe
- Fin
- Medium
- Teeth
- Giveaway
- Jaws
Giraffe
App hint: Wild mammal
- Safe
- Tall
- Medium
- Spots
- Giveaway
- Neck
Bee
App hint: Insect or bug
- Safe
- Small
- Medium
- Buzz
- Giveaway
- Honey
Flamingo
App hint: Bird
- Safe
- Elegant
- Medium
- Pink
- Giveaway
- One leg
Places
Library
App hint: Culture or leisure venue
- Safe
- Quiet
- Medium
- Shelves
- Giveaway
- Borrow
Airport
App hint: Travel or lodging
- Safe
- Waiting
- Medium
- Security
- Giveaway
- Boarding
Hospital
App hint: Civic institution
- Safe
- Beds
- Medium
- Night shift
- Giveaway
- Emergency
Beach
App hint: Natural place
- Safe
- Summer
- Medium
- Waves
- Giveaway
- Sandcastle
Castle
App hint: Settlement or landmark
- Safe
- Old
- Medium
- Stone
- Giveaway
- Moat
Cinema
App hint: Culture or leisure venue
- Safe
- Dark
- Medium
- Seats
- Giveaway
- Trailer
Zoo
App hint: Culture or leisure venue
- Safe
- Tickets
- Medium
- Enclosure
- Giveaway
- Feeding time
Volcano
App hint: Natural place
- Safe
- Hot
- Medium
- Mountain
- Giveaway
- Lava
Lighthouse
App hint: Settlement or landmark
- Safe
- Lonely
- Medium
- Coast
- Giveaway
- Beam
Prison
App hint: Civic institution
- Safe
- Locked
- Medium
- Bars
- Giveaway
- Inmate
Jobs
Doctor
App hint: Medical job
- Safe
- Coat
- Medium
- Appointment
- Giveaway
- Stethoscope
Teacher
App hint: Public or civic job
- Safe
- Patience
- Medium
- Homework
- Giveaway
- Classroom
Chef
App hint: Food or shop job
- Safe
- Pressure
- Medium
- Kitchen
- Giveaway
- Recipe
Pilot
App hint: Transport job
- Safe
- Uniform
- Medium
- Altitude
- Giveaway
- Cockpit
Firefighter
App hint: Emergency or safety job
- Safe
- Brave
- Medium
- Ladder
- Giveaway
- Hose
Astronaut
App hint: Transport job
- Safe
- Training
- Medium
- Helmet
- Giveaway
- Moon
Dentist
App hint: Medical job
- Safe
- Chair
- Medium
- Drill
- Giveaway
- Floss
Detective
App hint: Emergency or safety job
- Safe
- Questions
- Medium
- Clues
- Giveaway
- Sherlock
Lifeguard
App hint: Emergency or safety job
- Safe
- Whistle
- Medium
- Tower
- Giveaway
- Rescue
Plumber
App hint: Trade or manual job
- Safe
- Tools
- Medium
- Leak
- Giveaway
- Pipes
Objects
Knife
App hint: Kitchen utensil
- Safe
- Sharp
- Medium
- Kitchen
- Giveaway
- Blade
Phone
App hint: Electronics
- Safe
- Medium
- Charger
- Giveaway
- Call
Umbrella
App hint: Personal item
- Safe
- Folding
- Medium
- Handle
- Giveaway
- Rain
Mirror
App hint: Furniture or home item
- Safe
- Glass
- Medium
- Bathroom
- Giveaway
- Reflection
Toothbrush
App hint: Personal item
- Safe
- Morning
- Medium
- Bristles
- Giveaway
- Teeth
Candle
App hint: Furniture or home item
- Safe
- Cozy
- Medium
- Wax
- Giveaway
- Wick
Key
App hint: Tool or hardware
- Safe
- Medium
- Metal
- Giveaway
- Lock
Pillow
App hint: Furniture or home item
- Safe
- Soft
- Medium
- Bedroom
- Giveaway
- Feathers
Ladder
App hint: Tool or hardware
- Safe
- Tall
- Medium
- Steps
- Giveaway
- Climb
Balloon
App hint: Toy or leisure item
- Safe
- Party
- Medium
- Float
- Giveaway
- Helium
Sports
Basketball
App hint: Team sport
- Safe
- Tall
- Medium
- Court
- Giveaway
- Hoop
Tennis
App hint: Racket or target sport
- Safe
- Score
- Medium
- Racket
- Giveaway
- Wimbledon
Swimming
App hint: Water sport
- Safe
- Summer
- Medium
- Lanes
- Giveaway
- Goggles
Golf
App hint: Racket or target sport
- Safe
- Patience
- Medium
- Club
- Giveaway
- Hole in one
Boxing
App hint: Combat sport
- Safe
- Ring
- Medium
- Gloves
- Giveaway
- Knockout
Surfing
App hint: Water sport
- Safe
- Board
- Medium
- Waves
- Giveaway
- Hang ten
Skiing
App hint: Outdoor or extreme sport
- Safe
- Cold
- Medium
- Lift
- Giveaway
- Slopes
Yoga
App hint: Fitness or endurance
- Safe
- Breathing
- Medium
- Mat
- Giveaway
- Downward dog
Bowling
App hint: Racket or target sport
- Safe
- Shoes
- Medium
- Lane
- Giveaway
- Strike
Archery
App hint: Racket or target sport
- Safe
- Aim
- Medium
- Target
- Giveaway
- Arrow
Countries
Japan
App hint: In Asia or Oceania
- Safe
- Islands
- Medium
- Bullet train
- Giveaway
- Sushi
Brazil
App hint: In the Americas
- Safe
- Big
- Medium
- Carnival
- Giveaway
- Samba
France
App hint: In Europe
- Safe
- Wine
- Medium
- Croissant
- Giveaway
- Eiffel Tower
Egypt
App hint: In Africa
- Safe
- Desert
- Medium
- River
- Giveaway
- Pyramids
Australia
App hint: In Asia or Oceania
- Safe
- Far
- Medium
- Outback
- Giveaway
- Kangaroo
Mexico
App hint: In the Americas
- Safe
- Colorful
- Medium
- Mariachi
- Giveaway
- Tacos
Italy
App hint: In Europe
- Safe
- Coffee
- Medium
- Boot
- Giveaway
- Pizza
Canada
App hint: In the Americas
- Safe
- Cold
- Medium
- Polite
- Giveaway
- Maple syrup
India
App hint: In Asia or Oceania
- Safe
- Spices
- Medium
- Cricket
- Giveaway
- Taj Mahal
Iceland
App hint: In Europe
- Safe
- Small
- Medium
- Volcanoes
- Giveaway
- Reykjavik
Vehicles
Helicopter
App hint: Aircraft or spacecraft
- Safe
- Loud
- Medium
- Blades
- Giveaway
- Hover
Submarine
App hint: Watercraft
- Safe
- Hidden
- Medium
- Pressure
- Giveaway
- Periscope
Ambulance
App hint: Road vehicle
- Safe
- Fast
- Medium
- Siren
- Giveaway
- Stretcher
Rocket
App hint: Aircraft or spacecraft
- Safe
- Fast
- Medium
- Countdown
- Giveaway
- Launch pad
Tractor
App hint: Work or heavy vehicle
- Safe
- Slow
- Medium
- Field
- Giveaway
- Farmer
Hot Air Balloon
App hint: Aircraft or spacecraft
- Safe
- Sunrise
- Medium
- Basket
- Giveaway
- Burner
Taxi
App hint: Road vehicle
- Safe
- City
- Medium
- Meter
- Giveaway
- Yellow
Train
App hint: Rail or cable vehicle
- Safe
- Ticket
- Medium
- Tracks
- Giveaway
- Station
Skateboard
App hint: Small or traditional vehicle
- Safe
- Wheels
- Medium
- Tricks
- Giveaway
- Ollie
Sleigh
App hint: Small or traditional vehicle
- Safe
- Winter
- Medium
- Bells
- Giveaway
- Reindeer
Clothing
Pajamas
App hint: Underwear or swimwear
- Safe
- Comfy
- Medium
- Buttons
- Giveaway
- Sleep
Sneakers
App hint: Footwear
- Safe
- Laces
- Medium
- Rubber
- Giveaway
- Running
Tuxedo
App hint: Full outfit
- Safe
- Fancy
- Medium
- Black tie
- Giveaway
- Bow tie
Crown
App hint: Headwear
- Safe
- Shiny
- Medium
- Gold
- Giveaway
- King
Swimsuit
App hint: Underwear or swimwear
- Safe
- Summer
- Medium
- Wet
- Giveaway
- Pool
Raincoat
App hint: Outerwear
- Safe
- Yellow
- Medium
- Hood
- Giveaway
- Puddle
Socks
App hint: Footwear
- Safe
- Pair
- Medium
- Laundry
- Giveaway
- Feet
Sunglasses
App hint: Accessory or jewellery
- Safe
- Cool
- Medium
- Lenses
- Giveaway
- Shade
Kimono
App hint: Full outfit
- Safe
- Silk
- Medium
- Sash
- Giveaway
- Japan
Hoodie
App hint: Top
- Safe
- Comfy
- Medium
- Giveaway
- Hood
Music
Microphone
App hint: Performance or performer
- Safe
- Stage
- Medium
- Feedback
- Giveaway
- Karaoke
DJ
App hint: Performance or performer
- Safe
- Night
- Medium
- Mix
- Giveaway
- Turntables
Guitar
App hint: String instrument
- Safe
- Wood
- Medium
- Strings
- Giveaway
- Strum
Piano
App hint: Percussion or keys
- Safe
- Heavy
- Medium
- Keys
- Giveaway
- Grand
Drums
App hint: Percussion or keys
- Safe
- Loud
- Medium
- Sticks
- Giveaway
- Beat
Violin
App hint: String instrument
- Safe
- Elegant
- Medium
- Bow
- Giveaway
- Chin
Concert
App hint: Performance or performer
- Safe
- Crowd
- Medium
- Tickets
- Giveaway
- Encore
Opera
App hint: Classical or jazz genre
- Safe
- Dramatic
- Medium
- Italian
- Giveaway
- Soprano
Choir
App hint: Performance or performer
- Safe
- Together
- Medium
- Harmony
- Giveaway
- Hymns
K-Pop
App hint: Pop or country genre
- Safe
- Dance
- Medium
- Fans
- Giveaway
- Korea
Movies
Matrix
App hint: Sci-fi or fantasy
- Safe
- Choice
- Medium
- Glitch
- Giveaway
- Red pill
Jurassic Park
App hint: Action or adventure
- Safe
- Island
- Medium
- Fence
- Giveaway
- Dinosaurs
Titanic
App hint: Drama or classic
- Safe
- Sad
- Medium
- Ocean
- Giveaway
- Iceberg
Frozen
App hint: Animated film
- Safe
- Sisters
- Medium
- Snow
- Giveaway
- Let it go
Shrek
App hint: Animated film
- Safe
- Green
- Medium
- Swamp
- Giveaway
- Donkey
Harry Potter
App hint: Sci-fi or fantasy
- Safe
- Glasses
- Medium
- Scar
- Giveaway
- Hogwarts
Star Wars
App hint: Sci-fi or fantasy
- Safe
- Saga
- Medium
- Space
- Giveaway
- Lightsaber
Toy Story
App hint: Animated film
- Safe
- Friendship
- Medium
- Cowboy
- Giveaway
- Buzz
Jaws
App hint: Drama or classic
- Safe
- Summer
- Medium
- Beach
- Giveaway
- Shark
Home Alone
App hint: Drama or classic
- Safe
- Holidays
- Medium
- Traps
- Giveaway
- Burglars
How to give a good clue
Start vague, then narrow
Your first clue only has to show the other innocents that you know the word. Red for Lobster does that without handing the word to the imposter.
Keep the giveaway for emergencies
Maine for Lobster tells everyone the word, the imposter included. Use a clue like that only when the table is about to vote you out.
As the imposter, listen first
The clues before your turn are your best hint. If two people said Red and Claws, the word is probably seafood, so say something that fits, like Butter.
Never repeat a clue
Saying a clue someone already gave looks like copying, and copying is exactly what the imposter does.
How the hint button works in Impostor
In the app, anyone at the table can tap Reveal a hint during the discussion. Hints are shown to everyone, which is fine: the innocents already know the word, so only the imposter gains anything. Each tap shows the next hint, weakest first:
- The category, unless you chose to announce it at the start
- A sub-category, like Meat or seafood for Lobster
- How many letters the word has, and how many words for names like Jurassic Park
- A shortlist of 6 words that includes the secret word
- A shortlist of 3
Hints you already revealed stay on screen if the game goes to another vote, because the secret word stays the same.
See how Impostor works
Questions about imposter game hints
- What is a good hint in the imposter game?
- One word that fits the secret word without naming it. The best first clue is vague enough that other words fit too: Red for Lobster, Stage for Microphone, Night for DJ. The more specific the clue, the more it helps the imposter.
- What clue can I give for The Matrix?
- Choice is a safe one, Glitch narrows it down and Red pill gives it away. In the app the movie is listed as Matrix, and its hint is Sci-fi or fantasy.
- What are words related to DJ for the imposter game?
- Night, Mix and Turntables, from safe to obvious. Headphones, Club and Remix work too. In the app, the hint for DJ is Performance or performer.
- Does the imposter get a hint?
- On paper, only if the table agrees on one, usually the category. In the Impostor app you can turn on Give impostor a hint so the category is announced, and anyone can tap Reveal a hint during the discussion for more.
- Why can everyone see the hints in the app?
- The innocents already know the word, so a hint tells them nothing new. Showing it to the whole table means nobody gives themselves away by asking for one.
Play a round with these clues
Pick a word from the list, or let the app deal the words and the hints so everyone can play.
Updated November 2026 · By Tupungato Studios