Fictionary

Fictionary, also known as the Dictionary Game, is a word game in which players guess the definition of an obscure word.

A turn consists of one player picking a word from the dictionary and each other player composing a fake definition. A round is completed when each player has selected a word to be guessed.

Players earn points by guessing the correct definition of a word and by composing fake definitions that other players guess is the correct one.

The winner is the player who has earned the most points after a pre-determined number of rounds.

Table of contents

1 Supplies 2 Order of play 3 Scoring 4 Other versions of the game

Supplies

• A large, preferably unabridged dictionary
• A pencil, pen or other writing implement for each player
• Notecards or pieces of similarly sized paper for each player

Order of play

Different players use different house rules when playing Fictionary, but play usually proceeds like this:

One player, the word picker for the turn, chooses an obscure word from the dictionary and tells it to the other players. The chosen word should be one that no other player knows. If a player is familiar with the chosen word, he or she should say so and the picker should choose a different word.

If a word has more than one definition listed, the picker chooses which one to use.

Each player writes a definition of the word and submits it to the word picker. The word picker shuffles the definitions, including his own, which is the correct one. As definitions are handed to her, the picker should check them over to ensure that she can read the handwriting and to clarify any questions. (Stumbling over or misreading a definition is usually a sign that it's not the correct one -- unless the picker is trying to bluff.)

Once all definitions have been handed in, the picker reads the list aloud. Each other player in turn then votes for the one he or she believes is correct. Because she selected the word and knows the definition, the picker does not vote.

One variation allows a player to vote for the definition he submitted, although he doesn't get points for doing so. (This can encourage other people to vote for that definition as well, and the player would get those points.) Another variation does not allow a player to vote for his own definition.

Scoring

Players usually earn one point for voting for the correct definition, and one point for each vote cast for the definition they wrote.

The word picker earns a point if no one selects the correct definition.

Play then proceeds with the dictionary going to another player, which starts a new turn.

Other versions of the game

The board game Balderdash is based on Fictionary.

Fictionary is featured as a segment on the weekly US National Public Radio quiz show Says You, where it is known as the bluffing round.