The Parseword Game
Play Parseword free online — a daily cryptic-clue wordplay puzzle. Split the clue into definition and wordplay, then transform the tiles down to the answer.
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What is Parseword?
Parseword is a cryptic-clue wordplay puzzle. Each board is a short clue laid out as a row of word tiles. One part of the clue is the definition — a plain synonym of the answer — and the rest is wordplay. You reduce the wordplay to the answer by transforming the tiles: rearrange letters for an anagram, read them backwards for a reversal, pull out a hidden word, drop a letter, join fragments, and more.
It is quick to learn and hard to put down: each correct step folds tiles into a new fragment and hands you the next move, until a single word remains — the answer, confirmed by the definition. Here you can play a fresh puzzle every day, an unlimited stream on demand, and a full archive of past days — all free, with no login required.
How to play
- Find the definition. Read the clue. One part — usually the first or last word or two — is the definition, a plain synonym of the answer. The rest is wordplay.
- Transform the tiles. Tap the tiles for the next move and choose the correct result from the options. Rearrange letters, read them backwards, pull out a hidden word, and more.
- Reduce to one word. Each correct step folds tiles into a new fragment. Keep applying transforms until a single fragment remains on the board.
- Confirm with the definition. That final fragment is the answer, and the definition confirms it. Fewer hints and wrong answers earn a higher rank.
Three ways to play
- A daily puzzle. One fresh Parseword puzzle every day — start with today's board.
- Unlimited puzzles. Draw a new cryptic-clue puzzle any time in unlimited mode.
- A 77-puzzle library. Numbered, on-demand boards you can replay any time in the puzzle library, plus a full archive of past days.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Parseword game?
Parseword is a cryptic-clue wordplay puzzle. A short clue is laid out as a row of word tiles. One part of the clue is the definition — a plain synonym of the answer — and the rest is wordplay. You reduce the wordplay to the answer by applying transforms to the tiles: anagrams, reversals, hidden words, deletions, letter selections, joins, containers, and synonym swaps. When the tiles fold down to a single word that the definition confirms, you have solved it.
How do you play Parseword?
Read the clue and work out which part is the definition. Then tackle the wordplay one step at a time: tap the highlighted tiles for the next move and pick the correct result from the options shown. A correct choice folds those tiles into a new fragment; a wrong choice just shakes and counts as a mistake. Keep going until a single fragment remains — that word is the answer, and it matches the definition.
Is The Parseword Game free to play?
Yes. Every puzzle here is completely free, with no app to install and no account required. Play as many puzzles as you like in your browser on phone, tablet, or desktop — and if you want to appear on the daily leaderboard, you can optionally sign in.
How is this different from Parseword?
Parseword is a daily cryptic-style word game. This is an independent fan site built around the same solving idea — a definition plus step-by-step wordplay — but with our own original puzzles, an unlimited mode, a numbered puzzle library, and a full archive, all without a login. We are not affiliated with Parseword or its creators.
Do I need to know cryptic crosswords?
No. Parseword teaches the devices as you play. Every wordplay step shows you the possible results to choose from, and the hint ladder can point out the definition, name the next transform, or reveal a step outright. Beginners can lean on hints; experts can chase a clean, hint-free solve.
What do the hints do?
There is a three-tier hint. The first highlights the definition part of the clue so you know what the answer means. The second names the next transform — for example, that the next step is an anagram or a reversal. The third solves the current step for you. Each hint costs points toward your final rank, so a clean solve with no hints earns the top rank.
Are the puzzles original?
Yes. Every clue, answer, and wordplay chain here is original to this site. Nothing is copied from Parseword or any published cryptic source. Each puzzle is checked mechanically so that every transform is fair and the wordplay genuinely reduces to the answer.
Does my progress save?
Yes. Your progress on each puzzle, your solving streak, and your best times are saved locally in your browser, so clearing your browser data will reset them. If you sign in, your streak and stats also sync to your account so they follow you across devices.