Hangman: meaning, definitions and examples

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hangman

[ ˈhaŋmən ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

game

A word-guessing game in which one player thinks of a word and the other player must guess the word by suggesting letters within a certain number of guesses.

Synonyms

letter-guessing game, word-guessing game.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hangman	Can also refer to the historical executioner or the practice of execution by hanging; this usage has negative connotations. The hangman carried out the sentence at dawn. The infamous hangman was known throughout the region.
word-guessing game	A broader term that can be used to describe any game where participants guess words, not restricted to the traditional hangman game. The kids enjoyed the word-guessing game at the party. There are many variations of word-guessing games you can try.
letter-guessing game	Describes the activity in a more explanatory manner; useful when the audience may not be familiar with the term 'hangman'. We played a letter-guessing game in class today. She guessed a lot of letters correctly in the letter-guessing game.

Word

Description / Examples

hangman

Can also refer to the historical executioner or the practice of execution by hanging; this usage has negative connotations.

The hangman carried out the sentence at dawn.
The infamous hangman was known throughout the region.

word-guessing game

A broader term that can be used to describe any game where participants guess words, not restricted to the traditional hangman game.

The kids enjoyed the word-guessing game at the party.
There are many variations of word-guessing games you can try.

letter-guessing game

Describes the activity in a more explanatory manner; useful when the audience may not be familiar with the term 'hangman'.

We played a letter-guessing game in class today.
She guessed a lot of letters correctly in the letter-guessing game.

Examples of usage

Let's play hangman, I'll think of a word and you try to guess it!
We used to play hangman during long car rides to pass the time.

Translations

Translations of the word "hangman" in other languages:

🇵🇹 jogo da forca

🇮🇳 फाँसी का खेल

🇩🇪 Galgenmännchen

🇮🇩 permainan gantung

🇺🇦 шибениця

🇵🇱 wisielec

🇯🇵 ハングマン

🇫🇷 pendu

🇪🇸 ahorcado

🇹🇷 adam asmaca

🇰🇷 행맨 게임

🇸🇦 لعبة الرجل المشنوق

🇨🇿 šibenice

🇸🇰 šibenica

🇨🇳 刽子手游戏

🇸🇮 vislice

🇮🇸 hengimaður

🇰🇿 асылған адам ойыны

🇬🇪 ფირუზა

🇦🇿 asılma oyunu

🇲🇽 ahorcado

Etymology

The game of Hangman is believed to have originated in Victorian times as a pen-and-paper game in which players would try to guess a word letter by letter before completing a drawing of a hanged man. The game has since evolved and become popular worldwide as a fun and challenging word game.

See also: hang, hanging, hangings, hangout, overhang, overhanging.