Games you can play for free - Dictionary Dash

Continuing with my project to create a list of great games you can play for free, this post features an adaptation of the classic party game Absolute Balderdash. In this game, players attempt to guess the real definition of a word, whilst attempting to convince the other players that their made up definition is the correct one.

Dictionary Dash

Number of players: 3 – 8

Playing time: 30 minutes

You will need:

• A pen for each player
• Some paper for each player
• A dictionary

Players take in turns to be the dictioner. In each round, the dictioner selects and reads out a word from the dictionary. The word chosen should be obscure so that none of the other players are likely to know its true meaning. All of the players (apart from the dictioner) writes up a made up definition for the word onto a piece of paper. The dictioner also writes, in their own words, the real defination onto a peice of paper.

The dictioner collects together and reads out all the definitions, including the correct definition. They should be careful not to give away who wrote down which definition. Note, if one of the other player’s definitions matches or closely resembles the true definition, the dictioner should, instead of reading it out, remove it from the game. Going clockwise from the dictioner, each player (apart from the dictioner) chooses which of the definitions they think is correct. This is indicated by writing each player’s name onto the definition they have chosen. Once all players have chosen a definition, the dictioner reveals which one is correct. Scoring is as follows:

• All player (apart from the dictioner) receives one point for each other player that chooses their definition.
• All players receives one point if they guessed the correct definition.
• All players (apart from the dictioner) receives two points if their definition matches or closely resembles the true definition.
• The dasher receives two points if none of the other players chose the true definition.

The game continues for a pre-defined number of rounds. All players should become the dasher an equal number of times. The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

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