Words That Look Alike
1 / 15Some English words look nearly identical but have completely different meanings. Can you tell these tricky lookalikes apart?
15 quick questionsNo sign-upFree to playTap an answer below to begin ↓
What is the difference between 'desert' (noun, stress on first syllable) and 'dessert'?
About Words That Look Alike
Words That Look Alike is a free word games quiz with 15 multiple-choice questions aimed at mixed difficulty. Some English words look nearly identical but have completely different meanings. Can you tell these tricky lookalikes apart? 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 is the difference between 'desert' (noun, stress on first syllable) and 'dessert'?
Answer: Desert is a dry area; dessert is a sweet course
2. Which word means 'to praise highly': 'complement' or 'compliment'?
Answer: Compliment
3. What does 'principal' mean when used as a noun?
Answer: The head of a school or a sum of money
4. 'Elicit' and 'illicit' look similar. What does 'illicit' mean?
Answer: Illegal or forbidden
5. What is the difference between 'emigrate' and 'immigrate'?
Answer: Emigrate means to leave a country; immigrate means to enter a new one
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in Words That Look Alike?
Words That Look Alike 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 Words That Look Alike free to play?
Yes. The entire SeniorBrainGames catalog — including Words That Look Alike — 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 Words That Look Alike take?
Most players finish Words That Look Alike 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 Words That Look Alike?
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.
Explore related topics
More Word Games
The Lonesome Half: Words Without Partners
You can be disgruntled but never gruntled — some English words only survive in their negative form, and their vanished partners carry surprising meanings of their own.
Words That Changed Meaning
Many English words once meant something completely different. Can you guess the surprising original meanings of these everyday words?
Homophones Challenge
Pick the correct homophone for each sentence — words that sound alike but have different meanings!
Missing Words in English
Other languages have beautiful words for things English lacks a single word for. Can you match these untranslatable foreign words to their meanings?
Words With No Rhyme
Some English words famously have no perfect rhyme. Can you identify these linguistic loners and separate fact from fiction?
Try Memory Games
Everyday Words Spelling Bee
Words you've written all your life — but can you still spell them perfectly?
Try General Knowledge
Famous Last Words
Notable final quotes from famous people
Free printables
Printable Crosswords
Large-print crossword sheets to print at home — answer keys included.