About the list of words

The Word Ladder game contains a long list of words and only accepts words which are in this list. This list should contain all 4-letter words in the English language.

Nevertheless, you may sometimes wonder why a particular word is in the list, or why a word is not in the list.

In addition to simple words, like home and name, the list contains:

• plural forms of 3-letter nouns, like days or eyes
• different verb forms, like took or owns

Here are some of the guidelines used to in compiling the list. In all cases, it is a matter of judgement, which words to include and which not to include.

Foreign words

In general, the list does not contain foreign words.

However, some foreign words are used so frequently, that they have been included, for example:

• chez
• ciao

Abbreviations made from first letters

Abbreviations made from the first letters of words, like NATO, NASA, OPEC or CERN are not words, and they are not included in the list.

In some rare case, an abbreviation is used so commonly that we start to think of it as a word, and maybe even forget that it is an abbreviation. For example:

• UFO
• AWOL

Obviously, UFO is not in the list, but the plural form UFOS is.

Short forms of words

Another kind of abbreviation is a short form of a word.

In general, short forms are not included, but some short forms have become established as words in their own right. For example:

• exam (for examination)
• dorm (for dormitory)
• memo (for memorandum)

As always, it a matter of judgement.
Here are some, which are not in the list:

• croc (for crocodile)
• chem (for chemical)
• exec (for executive)
• dept (for department)

Children's words

Children's words, so long as they are real words, are included, for example:

• mama
• papa

Noises

Words for mechanical noises, so long as they are real words, are included, for example:

• ding
• dong
• bing
• ting
• bang

Animal noises, so long as they have an accepted spelling, are included, for example:

• oink
• meow

Sounds made by people, if they have an accepted spelling, are included, for example:

• psst
• shhh

althouth these are somewhat questionable.

Slang and informal words

Widely used slang and informal words are included, for example:

• nope (no)
• john (toilet)
• stan (overzealous fan)
• wang (throw)
• tash (moustache)

Regional words

Widely used regional words are included, for example:

• sook (Australian: A whinger, wimp or coward)
• hoon (Australian and New Zealand: A deliberately reckless driver)
• bach (New Zealand: A small vacation home)
• tiki (New Zealand: A scenic tour around an area)
• pong (British: An unpleasant smell)
• busk (Brisish: Play music in a public place)
• barf (American: Vomit)
• desi (Indian and Indian diaspora: People or things from India)

Regional spellings

Different regional spellings, in particular British and American, are included, for example:

• tyre (British)
• tire (American)
• kerb (British)
• curb (American)

Technical and scientific terms

Technical and scientific words are included. This includes words for plants, animals, birds and fish.

Old and archaic words

The list includes:

• words which are no longer used, but would still be widely known, for example from Shakespeare or from the Bible
• words which are still used, but feel dated

The list does not include:

• words which are really archaic, never used, and only known to experts

Proper nouns

People and places

The names of people and and places are not included, for example

• John (name of a person)
• Iran (name of a country)
• Rome (name of a city)

Names from mythology

Names from mythology, in particular the names of gods and goddesses are not included, for example:

• Zeus
• Styx
• Rama
• Gaia
• Nike

Names from fiction

Names from fiction are not included, for example:

• Jedi (from Star Wars)

Peoples and ethnic groups

The names of ethnic groups and cultures, are included, for example:

• Shan (from south east asia)
• Sami (from northern Scandinavia)
• Hopi (from Arizona)

Months

June and July are included.

Currency units

Currency units are often included, for example:

• Euro
• Cent
• Baht (Thailand)
• Fils (subdivision of monetary unit in some arablc countries)

Titles of address

Titles, including titles from other cultures, are included, for example:

• king
• shah
• raja

Vulgarities

Rude words and swear words are often included.

Extremely vulgar words, and words likely to cause offence are not included.