Editing Word game (section)

{{Short description|Puzzles, board games, or video games based on language}}
{{redirect|Word puzzle|the video game|Word Puzzle (video game) {{!}} ''Word Puzzle'' (video game)}}
{{refimprove|date=July 2018}}
{{Puzzles}}
'''Word games''' are [[Spoken game|spoken]], [[Board game|board]], [[Card game|card]] or [[Video game|video games]] often designed to test ability with [[language]] or to explore its properties.

Word games are generally used as a source of [[entertainment]], but can additionally serve an [[education]]al purpose. Young children may enjoy playing games such as Mad Libs Junior, while developing spelling and writing skills. Researchers have found that adults who regularly solved [[crossword]] puzzles, which require familiarity with a larger [[vocabulary]], had better brain function later in life.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rd.com/article/crossword-puzzles-can-make-you-smarter/|work=[[Reader's Digest]]|title=The Science Is In: Crossword Puzzles Can Literally Make Your Brain Younger|first=Claire|last=Gillespie|date=June 23, 2022|access-date=September 10, 2023}}</ref>

Popular word-based [[game show]]s have been a part of television and radio throughout broadcast history, including ''[[Spelling Bee (game show)|Spelling Bee]]'', the first televised game show, and ''[[Wheel of Fortune (American game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]'', the longest-running syndicated game show in the United States.