Welcome to the 2021 Submissions page!
The winners for 2020 have been announced, see 2020 Winners
We get new words regularly (frequently!) and work to post them as soon as practical.
Please note that not all words are posted. Some are pretty far from the basic rules (one letter change, etc.). Some are two words which we post but don’t include in the contest. Some are a little obscure – you may have to take out your actual dictionary to figure them out. Some we can’t actually figure out but sometimes post anyway – we’ve added a new field for the original word this year to make the job of deciphering the more esoteric contributions a little easier. We get thousands of contributions: for 2021 we intend to publish only the best 10 words each week.
Despite the limitless opportunities that politics offer (and some very clever contributions), we do not publish words that have obvious political connotations, since we’d rather not have the website seem partisan in any way: we didn’t want to referee and politicians are perfectly capable of entertaining us on other platforms.
We also try not to post words that might be offensive to our younger readers (besides, who wants our pages to start showing up on unfortunate search results). Finally, we also try not to post words that are based on religious words or concepts or identifications (whether pejorative or not).
Most recent words are at the top – if you like what you see, go back and enjoy some of the oldies but goodies on our Decade of Wordplay page.
| New Word | Original Word | Definition | Name |
| Your Word | Its origin | Clever is better… | Don’t be shy ! |
| Vaccinity | Vaccine + Vicinity | Proximity in location to vaccine distribution site, or proximity in time to receiving vaccine. | Samantha Outcalt |
| Astrolave | Astrolabe | Toilets at the Kennedy Space Centre | Geoff Williams |
| Syrip | Syrup / Syria | A sticky diplomatic situation in a turbulent Middle Eastern country | Geoff Williams |
| Cowfound | Confound | A lost bovine no longer lost | Mike Harcrow |
| Sparkinsons | Parkinsons | A neurological brain disease characterized by fiery outbursts | Mike Harcrow |
| Cantelope | Canteloupe | When the bolting couple gets caught by her dad | Mike Harcrow |
| Gneissly | Nicely | How rocks are supposed to play together | Mike Harcrow |
| Condomnation | Condemnation | Strong disapproval concerning the use of contraceptives | Mia Debidin |
| Gnuanced | Nuanced | Subtly resembling a wildebeest | Mia Debidin |
| Adminept | Administration Department (Admin Dept) | The SNAFU Gurus | Doug Langmead |
| Apexitif | Aperitif | The very best liqueur | Mike Harcrow |
| Conquitador | Conquistador | The conqueror who didn’t go | Mike Harcrow |
| Hunchman | Henchman | Cwhiminal minion | Doug Langmead |
| Longlevity | Longevity | Laughing off the years | Doug Langmead |
| Discrapancy | Discrepancy | A messy inconsistency | Kenneth Grinnell |
| Mobivation | Motivation | A reason to run | Mike Harcrow |
| Flague | Plague | A contagion of banners | Mike Harcrow |
| Tannoying | Annoying | Causing irritation over a public address system | Mia Debidin |
| Boastmistress | Toastmistress | I only use silk in ‘my’ whips and ties | Jackin Yow |
| Totalifarian | Totalitarian | A Jamaican dictator | Geoff Williams |
| Acapilliaries | Capilliaries | Singing too much and making your blood vessels rupture | Geoff Williams |
| Intercorpse | Intercourse | Necrophilia | Geoff Williams |
| Impottent | Impotent | When your instant pot, after age and years of use, is unable to achieve a pressure; resulting in an inability to perform in the kitchen. | Kent Benton |
| Vaccinity | Vaccine + Vicinity | Proximity in location to vaccine distribution site, or proximity in time to receiving vaccine. | Samantha Outcalt |
| Muteiny | Mutiny | When people in your Zoom meeting won’t leave themselves muted, and it wrecks the meeting for everyone else. | Beth Winnowski |
| Deposhition | Deposition | The giving of false information under oath | Kitty Valence |
| Stevadores | Stevedores | Romantic longshoremen | Alan Phillips |
| Dietribe | Diatribe | A primitive community of picky eaters | Alan Phillips |
| Solitairey confinement | Solitary confinement | Locked in a cell with nothing but a deck of cards | Alan Phillips |
| Nevertitti | Nevertiti | Flat chested Egyptian Empress | Geoff Williams |
| Tsarcissism | Narcissism | Caveat emperor – the ne plus ultra of inflated self-esteem | Doug Langmead |
| Exclustive | Exclusive | Pining for the previous Mrs. | Jackin Yow |
| Black-Outs Matter | Black outs matter | Power to the people! | Michael Brawley |
| Camopers | Campers | Bored kids in a tent | Michael de Silva |
| Gintellectual | Intellectual | Rummy | Michael de Silva |
| Embyronic | Embryonic | Before it was known he’d be Lord or Lady B | Jackin Yow |
| Esteamed | Esteemed | How clams are served in Spain | Michael de Silva |
| Blandishmint | Blandishment | Candy for good behavior | Michael de Silva |
| Venomouse | Venomous | Mickey’s Ex | Michael de Silva |
| Clairvoyain’t | Clairvoyant | Normal | Michael de Silva |
| Civilant | Sibilant | Hissing politely | Mike Harcrow |
| Dylsexic | Dyslexic | One who finds adult content in places where it doesn’t exist | Mike Harcrow |
| Spanxer | Spanner | Compression wear for pipe repair | Mike Harcrow |
| Emews | Mews | Rowstriches | Doug Langmead |
| Castroenteris | Gastroenteritis | A stomach ailment that causes the sufferer to keep making speeches of interminable length | Geoff Williams |
| Pygmites | Pygmies | Short-tempered stunt-men | Doug Langmead |
| Denisovain | Denisovan | The guy Carly bitched about | Jackin Yow |
| Cessnation | Cessation | A small plane crash | Mike Harcrow |
| Freudenstein | Frankenstein | A sapient creature with the head of a scientist and the mind of an analyst | Doug Langmead |
| Jobster | Lobster | Employment service for crustaceans | Mike Harcrow |
| Creoche | Brioche + creole | Caribbean bread rolls | Mike Harcrow |
| Wivalry | Rivalry | Problems with polygamy | Mike Harcrow |
| Nappenstance | Happenstance | The ability to sleep while standing upright | Geoff Williams |
| Verbesity | Verbosity | Talking too much makes you fat | Geoff Williams |
| Sliquid | Liquid | Better-designed pound note | Jackin Yow |
| Paranorman | Paranormal | Elite group of French troops sent ahead by William the Conqueror to test out Harold’s defences | Geoff Williams |
| Indepedant | Independant | The person who sits next to you during the local Film Festival and tells you all about the plot nuances and the directors personal life story | Geoff Williams |
| Tatare | Tatar | Weight of a Turk – sans luggage – about to board an aircraft | Jackin Yow |
| Schyster | Shyster | Porta-potti along Unter den Linden | Jackin Yow |
| Disdrain | Disdain | Down which the last ounce of respect was flushed | Jackin Yow |
| Disrapt | Disrupt | No longer impressed by the rhetoric | Jackin Yow |
| Galamari | Calamari | A festive squid | Mike Harcrow |
| Broquette | Coquette | A flirty guy | Mike Harcrow |
| Branstorm | Brainstorm | A bad post-breakfast experience in the restroom | Mike Harcrow |
| Sailient | Salient | The relevance of boating | Mike Harcrow |
| Equipmen | Equipment | Tool vendors | Mike Harcrow |
| Sheepskip | Sheepskin | Missing graduation | Mike Harcrow |
| Jarvest | Harvest | Gleaning jam containers | Mike Harcrow |
| Whors-de-combat | Hors-de-combat | Camp followers | Jackin Yow |
| Bugpipe | Bagpipe | Doodlesack with a defective chanter | Jackin Yow |
| Bonas | Bolas | Extra pay granted to an Argentinian Gaucho for his skill with his lasso | Geoff Williams |
| Glammer | Glimmer | A movie star whose beauty is beginning to dim | Geoff Williams |
| Fatotum | Factotum | An underling who got fat on the job, tum reinforcing the meaning | Vali Jamal |
| Ruedimentary | Rudimentary | Basic regret or a basic French street | Ridley Odonnell |
| Oxy-Moron | Oxymoron | Someone who regularly uses street drugs. | Michael Brawley |
| Innoculous | Innocuous | An inoffensive jab | Doug Langmead |
| Humorlesque | Humoresque | A written or musical composition completely devoid of capriciousness, fantasy, or whimsy | Mike Harcrow |
| Conquistadorm | Conquistador | The campus gigolo | Mike Harcrow |
| Theoretipal | Theoretical | Studying the practice of friendship | Mike Harcrow |
| Obease | Obese | Mobility for the large | Mike Harcrow |
| Monstrocity | Monstrosity | Tokyo | Mike Harcrow |
| Abalonely | Abalonely | A mollusk without a date | Mike Harcrow |
| Presipitation | Precipitation | Indecision over using a drinking straw or not | Mike Harcrow |
| Verisimiltune | Verisimiltude | A song that borrows most of the music from a well known old tune | Geoff Williams |
| Paceship | Spaceship | In the near future the Indianapolis Annual Car Race will be held in orbit and in front of all the vehicles will be the Paceship | Geoff Williams |
| Bangst | Angst | Great fear of sexual encounters | Geoff Williams |
| Dialettante | Dilettante | Personal who refuses to use “those new fangled thingies” and sticks to their ancient telephone set | Geoff Williams |
| Centaurians | Centurians | Bridled Roman shock troops | Jackin Yow |
| Parliamentardy | Parliamentary | The slow wheels of the legislative body | Vali Jamal |
| Dogsology | Doxology | Reverent canine howling | Mike Harcrow |
| Dragonian | Draconian | Fire breathing law enforcement | Anne DelCampo |
| impeasment | impeachment | The act of irrefutably proving to a three year-old that peas are good to eat yet having them rejected nevertheless. | Daniel Sherman |
| Bravadog | Bravado | The Alpha of the litter | Anne DelCampo |
| Perudites | Erudite | Learned Limans | Anne DelCampo |
| Curtesy | Courtesy | Impoliteness | Mike Harcrow |
| NOVID | COVID | The theoretical state of health that one enters after getting the second shot | Wayne Price |
| Clammer | Slammer | Prison for miscreant mollusks | Mike Harcrow |
| Spuffer | Sputter | To falter on one’s first cigarette | Mike Harcrow |
| Stuba | Scuba | Underwater bass brass instrument | Mike Harcrow |
| Comepuppance | Comeuppance | A grouchy dog for a grouchy guy | Mike Harcrow |
| Scrubles | Scruples | Misgivings about cleanliness | Mike Harcrow |
| Briars | Bras | Hedging your breasts | Gillian Manolis & Doug Langmead |
| Confluenza | Confluence + influenza | One possible result of neglecting social-distancing | Mike Harcrow |
| Concurrant | Concurrant | A fresh jam berry | Mike Harcrow |
| Constapation | Constipation | The state of being perpetually bound up | Jen Green |
| Deckimate | Decimate | Companion on a cruise liner | Geoff Williams |
| Pie coefficient | Pi | Result of a late-night mathematical exercise, commonly using a fork, to straighten the sides of the uneaten portion of dessert, to form two radii | Steve Coz |
| Platytude | Platitude | The collective noun for “a multitude of Duck-billed Platypuses”. | H.R. White |
| Billingualism | Bilingualism | Your utility charges in English and Spanish | Balazs Monoki |
| Coolaunt | Coolant | Your favorite parental sibling | Mike Harcrow |
| Flip-flog | Flip-flop | To beat on both sides | Mike Harcrow |
| Curlside | Curbside | A drive-up salon | Mike Harcrow |
| Cuddlefish | Cuttlefish | An affectionate squid | Mike Harcrow |
| McLarkey | Malarkey | Scottish balderdash | Mike Harcrow |
| Fundertaker | Undertaker | Extortionist | Mike Harcrow |
| Walwuss | Walrus | A feeble-minded cousin of the seal | Mike Harcrow |
| Apollogize | Apologize | What the manufacturers of the faulty oxygen tank did after the Apollo 13 astronauts returned to earth. | Gayle Knutson |
| Cementery | Cemetery | The last resting place for many a failed mobster | Geoff Williams |
| Camusflage | Camouflage | Disguise for a French philosopher | Geoff Williams |
| Anacondo | Anaconda | No place to keep a giant pet snake | Geoff Williams |
| Billigrams | Milligrams | Online bible quotes from the late Mr. Graham | Geoff Williams |
| Calasthenics | Calisthenics | Exercises for opera Divas | Geoff Williams |
| Briggadocio | Braggadocio | Prison pretense…slammer swagger | Anne DelCampo |
| Centrarian | Contrarian | A medieval maverick | Anne DelCampo |
| Sourbet | Sorbet | Lemon sherbet without sugar | Mike Harcrow |
| Melanchory | Melancholy | Pertaining to gloomy texts in vocal music | Mike Harcrow |
| Kenk | Ken | A twist in one’s knowledge | Mike Harcrow |
| Surreptittious | Surreptitious | Clandestine breast-feeding | Mike Harcrow |
| Whyperbole | Hyperbole | Questionable exaggeration | Mike Harcrow |
| Conqueso | Conquest | The winning cheese | Mike Harcrow |
| Cygnical | Cynical | Of a doubting swan | Mike Harcrow |
| Juristdiction | Jurisdiction | Lawyer-speak | Mike Harcrow |
| Apathycary | Apothecary | Disinterested druggist | Mike Harcrow |
| Methargy | Lethargy | Drug-induced apathy | Mike Harcrow |
| Optimisticanny | Optimistically | Positively perspicacious | Mike Harcrow |
| Quipotic | Quixotic | Whimsical witticism | Mike Harcrow |
| Compunctuation | Compunction + Punctuation | Penitent reference marks | Mike Harcrow |
| Unintimimated | Unintimidated | Unconsummated | Jackin Yow |
| Smutation | Mutation | Art evolving beyond erotica | Jackin Yow |
| Pollusk | Mollusk | A shellfish canvasser | Mike Harcrow |
| Justifly | Justify | Evade warranted incarceration | Jackin Yow |
| Hecclesiastic | Ecclesiastic | The lout in the congregation jeering the sermon | Jackin Yow |
| Suprabundant | Superabundant | 1) Transcendent booty 2) Synonym for Fanytastic and Bunpleasant |
Jackin Yow |
| Conestogie | Conestoga | An overland cigar | Mike Harcrow |
| Mornose | Morose | Proboscisally blessed | Jackin Yow |
| Lizardry | Wizardry | The practice of being a magical reptile | Mike Harcrow |
| Simulacrumb | Simulacrum | Accurate representation of a contemptible louse | Jackin Yow |
| Punderwear | Underwear | Skivvies for wordsmiths | Mike Harcrow |
| Slopstyle | Slopestyle | Extreme winter sport for unskilled skiers | Mike Harcrow |
| Game_Stop | GameStop | End game for stock shorters | Michael Brawley |
| Coyalty | Royalty | Reticent Rulership | Doug Langmead |
| Vastula | Vistula | Flooded river in Eastern Europe | Geoff Williams |
| Custardy | Custard | Prison fare | Geoff Williams |
| Cattleship | Battleship | Heavily armed Naval ship that fires cow pats from all its guns | Geoff Williams |
| Palimentation | Alimentation | By-the-hour companionship service – delivered, usually through cab driver, to lonely out-of-town business men | Jackin Yow |
| Herd Impunity | Herd Immunity | Safety in numbers | Michael Brawley |
| Synlapses | Synapses | Those odd times you’re faithful to your spouse | Jackin Yow |
| Blearney | Blarney | Lies told at last call | Michael de Silva |
| Extirpastor | Extirpator | The one who finally drove you to abandon the flock | Jackin Yow |
| Typowriter | Typewriter | Dyslexic stenographer | Michael de Silva |
| Brobdignagiant | Brobdignagian | Bigger than big | Michael de Silva |
| Weekness | Weakness | Characterizing a half-fortnight of infirmity | Mike Harcrow |
| Cadavert | Cadaver | Coming “this” close to being labelled a reprobate | Jackin Yow |
| Pandaloons | Pantaloons | Trousers for bamboo-eaters | Mike Harcrow |
| Belliclose | Bellicose | Missionary position | Jackin Yow |
| Prestitute | Prostitute | Journalist (m/f) with questionable ethical compass | Jackin Yow |
| Macknowledge | Acknowledge | Devoid of broader gustatory exposure | Jackin Yow |
| Bifurcoated | Bifurcated | A foxy faux pair | Doug Langmead |
| Hoverwhelm | Overwhelm | What helicopter parents do to kids’ creativity | Jackin Yow |
| Instuperable | Insuperable | Dumb beyond redemption | Jackin Yow |
| Cabtina | Cantina | Concession stand in a taxi | Mike Harcrow |
| Giggle | Giggle | Fun party for geese | Judy Scherrenberg |
| Numberic | Numeric | Ancient Viking explorer arrives on shores of Greenland for the first time and wishes he had brought his sheepskin underwear. | Geoff Williams |
| Uptight piano | Upright piano | A tense, jittery hammer-struck keyboard | Mike Harcrow |
| Cyclods | Cyclods | Monocular idiots | Jackin Yow |
| Seenager | Teenager | A senior who behaves like a teenager. | Michael Brawley |
| Pulpchritude | Pulchritude | Beauty reduced to pulp as the make-up melted under the tropical sun | Vali Jamal |
| Laxicography | Lexicography | Please don’t be too lax in posting the winners for 2020! (Coming soon! – WPMI) | Vali Jamal |
| Plese-majesty | Lese-majesty | Exalt the sovereign | Jackin Yow |
| Mandifest | Manifest | What Rice-Davies and Keeler used to have with Profumo | Jackin Yow |
| Whiatus | Hiatus | Wha’, we done sumptin’ wrong? | Jackin Yow |
| Alconol | Alcohol | Non alcoholic beverage | Judy Scherrenberg |
| Schorts | Shorts | Lederhosen | Jackin Yow |
| Poigrant | Poignant | Touching tirade | Jackin Yow |
| Col-de-sac | Cul-de-sac | A ridge too far | Doug Langmead |
| Consterbation | Consternation | Confusing only yourself | Mike Harcrow |
| Eruction | Eruption | Heightened commotion | Jackin Yow |
| Parfunctory | Perfunctory | Careless golf | Mike Harcrow |
| casamity | Calamity | Household disaster | Mike Harcrow |
| Matriphony | Matrimony | Marriage of convenience for the purpose of gaining permanent immigrant status. | Michael Brawley |
| Polemice | Polemic | Little creatures that inhabit the frozen tundra | Geoff Williams |
| Dugang | Dugong | Cousins of the Manatee who gather in large unruly groups | Geoff Williams |
| Dierama | Diorama | A group of miniature figures representing a funeral ceremony | Geoff Williams |
| Plagenta | Placenta | A dark red membrane | Mike Harcrow |
| Koyalty | Loyalty | King of the Goldfish | Mike Harcrow |
| Tattoon | Tattoo | Comic book body ink | Mike Harcrow |
| Neutraility | Neutrality | The path to peace | Mike Harcrow |
| Skinherd | Skinhead | Shorn sheep | Mike Harcrow |
| Perikinkle | Periwinkle | Lavender with a twist | Mike Harcrow |
| Splarge | Splurge | A sizable extravagance | Mike Harcrow |
| Spantaneity | Spontaneity | An impulsive stretch | Mike Harcrow |
| Cadavert | Cadaver | Coming “this” close to being labelled a reprobate | Jackin Yow |
| Antegone | Antigone | Greek babe who has lost it all at Las Vegas | Geoff Williams |
| Importaunt | Important | Seriously razz someone | Jackin Yow |
| Glissandoh! | Glissando | An accidental pause | Michael de Silva |
| Eponymouse | Eponymous | Mickey | Michael de Silva |
| Rafterword | Afterword | Joist | Michael de Silva |
| Cramp-on | Crampon | P.M.S. | Michael Brawley |
| Playthong | Plaything | A slingshot | Mike Harcrow |
| Flateau | Plateau | Reaching the age where your feet go flat | Wayne Price |
| Regiffer | Regifter | The act of taking a gif that has been received and sending it to somebody else, sometimes in the guise of a new gif. | Samantha |
| Miniac | Maniac | A toddler. Any toddler. Go ahead, pick one. | John Carbone |
| Barrometer | Barometer | A device for measuring your wheelbarrow to determine that it is exactly 1 inch too wide to get through your back gate | Geoff Williams |
| Cartlidge | Cartridge | A tendon that is truly shot | Geoff Williams |
| Extravert | Extrovert | The leader of the Green Party | Geoff Williams |
| Freuds | Freud | Friends that really don’t quite get you, but, with help, would like to. | Jackin Yow |
| Fanytastic | Fantastic | Synonym for “bunpleasant” | Jackin Yow |
| Brodice | Bodice | Game of craps among male friends | Jackin Yow |
| Sibtracting | Subtracting | Fratricide | Jackin Yow |
| Lablution | Ablution | Cleansing the Petri dishes and Erlenmeyer flasks | Jackin Yow |
| Pichotomy | Dichotomy | 22/7 or 3.14159265…? | Jackin Yow |
| Gondolences | Condolences | Sad note to Venetian friends | Geoff Williams |
| Bitcon | Bitcoin | Being duped into the delusion that an imaginary currency has real intrinsic value. | Michael Brawley |
| Frightliner | Freightliner | Scriptwriter for Alfred Hitchcock | Geoff Williams |
| Gno | Gnu | Present tense of “Gnu” | Geoff Williams |
| Fourplay | Foreplay | Sexy bridge games | Geoff Williams |
| Meatior | Meatier | Flash-pie in the sky – cf shooting tarts | Doug Langmead |
| Bumbletweeds | Tumbleweeds | Poorly enunciated country walking trousers | Doug Langmead & Gillian Winter |
| Panicea | Panacea | How you feel when you realise what you thought was the solution is in fact a recipe for disaster | Doug Langmead |
| Ephemoral | Ephemeral | A strange feeling you get after a hip replacement | Geoff Williams |
| Procticable | Practicable | Urologists’ skills | Jackin Yow |
| Evisberate | Eviscerate | REALLY tear a strip off someone | Jackin Yow |
| Thoughtfulmess | Thoughtfulness | A carefully worked out plan to thwart someone else’s ideas | Geoff Williams |
| Manyfactured | Manufactured | Diversity in production | Geoff Williams |
| Pichotomy | Dichotomy | Cherry or blueberry? | Jackin Yow |
| Pierless | Peerless | De-Wharfed; Off-Quay; Jettysoned; Marinada | Doug Langmead |
| Posthumouse | Posthumous | Recognition on death for a life lived in holes | Vali Jamal |
| Voiciferous | Vociferous | Expressing one’s opinions loud and clear | Vali Jamal |
| Tieghts | Tights | All else being equal, snug drawers | Doug Langmead |
| Instaglam | Posting photshopped images of yourself on social media | Judy Scherrenberg | |
| Rescussion | Recission | Retraction of an epithet | Jackin Yow |
| Hellix | Helix | A downward spiral | Andy Wright |
| Duozen | Dozen | Twenty-four | Doug Langmead |
| Chromorsome | Chromosome | DDNA | Doug Langmead |
| Poperwork | Paperwork | The letters only Francis can sign | Jackin Yow |
| Rattorney | Attorney | The other guy’s legal counsel | Jackin Yow |
| Ofters | Otters | Frequently-sighted otters that can’t hold their breath | Doug Langmead |
| Sinergy | Synergy | The interaction of two or more people to produce a transgression or immoral act that is greater than the sum of their individual efforts; an orgy | H.R. White |
| Medievil | Mediaeval | Gothic malevolence | Jackin Yow |
| Tuttoo | Tattoo | Verbally reinforce someone’s disapproval of something | Jackin Yow |
| Incrudulous | Incredulous | Cleaned up; spiffy | Jackin Yow |
| Ambilextrous | Ambidextrous | Ability to read upside-down text | Jackin Yow |
| Singlelarity | Singularity | The spot in town where singles tend to gravitate. | Michael Brawley |
| Thiatus | Hiatus | A break from using the step fitness machine | Jackin Yow |
| Skedawdle | Skedaddle | The answer to the age old question. ”Should I stay or should I go?” | Anne DelCampo |
| Facilidate | Facilitate | Arrange a tryst | Anne DelCampo |
| Hairassment | Harrassment | “Tress Stress”…dying, blow drying, teasing, etc. | Anne DelCampo |
| Permentation | Permutation | Preserving one’s curl | Mike Harcrow |