What's the Word?
1 / 15Can you identify the word from its definition?
15 quick questionsNo sign-upFree to playTap an answer below to begin ↓
What word means 'a feeling of great happiness and triumph'?
About What's the Word?
What's the Word? is a free word games quiz with 15 multiple-choice questions with a mix of 7 medium, 6 easy, 2 hard questions. Can you identify the word from its definition? A typical run takes about 7 minutes, hints are always one tap away, and your streak ticks up the first time you finish a game on a given day.
A few sample questions
1. What word means 'a feeling of great happiness and triumph'?
Answer: Elation
Elation comes from the Latin 'elatus', meaning 'raised up'.
2. What word means 'a deep longing for the past'?
Answer: Nostalgia
Nostalgia comes from the Greek words 'nostos' (return home) and 'algos' (pain).
3. What word means 'the ability to understand and share the feelings of another'?
Answer: Empathy
Empathy goes beyond sympathy by actually feeling what another person feels.
4. What word means 'a person who loves books and reading'?
Answer: Bibliophile
Bibliophile combines 'biblio' (book) and 'phile' (lover of).
5. What word means 'pleasantly warm weather'?
Answer: Balmy
Balmy describes mild, pleasant, warm weather conditions.
Things you'll learn along the way
- Serendipitous was coined by Horace Walpole in 1754, inspired by a fairy tale about the princes of Serendip.
- To saunter means to walk in a leisurely, unhurried way.
- Breakfast literally means 'breaking the fast' after sleeping through the night.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in What's the Word??
What's the Word? has 15 multiple-choice questions. Each one has four answer options and an explanation that appears after you answer, so you learn something even when you miss.
Is What's the Word? free to play?
Yes. The entire SeniorBrainGames catalog — including What's the Word? — is free, with no sign-up required, no time limits, and no ads on top of the game. It also works offline once the page has loaded once.
How long does What's the Word? take?
Most players finish What's the Word? in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.
What's a good follow-up after What's the Word??
If you enjoyed this word games quiz, try the Daily Challenge — five rotating questions, refreshed every 24 hours, that count toward your streak. You can also use the Surprise Me button on the homepage to land on a different game type for variety.
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