
Official Buzzword Rules
How To Play Buzzword

4+
Players

10+
Ages

30 MIN
Play Time

$25
Price
What do "Your mouth hurts from this" and "Brings money when you lose one" and "Wiggle this to see if it will come out" all have in common? The answer to each question contain the word tooth which makes it your buzzword. Buzzword has the ability to capture and retain the attention of an entire room full of people as team members combine their knowledge to solve a set of 10 clues. The answer to all just happens to be your buzzword. The game Buzzword involves a lot of discussion and team work as team work together quickly to find their buzzword before the timer goes off.
Here are the steps to play the game. One player is chosen to be the first "buzzmaster." The buzzmaster chooses a word or phrase that the other players must try to convey to the group without saying it out loud. The other players take turns trying to convey the buzzword to the group by describing it, acting it out, or using synonyms. The other players must not use the actual word or phrase, or any part of it, in their clues. The other players take turns giving clues until someone correctly guesses the buzzword. The player who correctly guesses the buzzword becomes the new buzzmaster and chooses the next word or phrase.
The game continues with players taking turns as the buzzmaster and the other players trying to guess the buzzword. The game can be timed, and the player who correctly guesses the most buzzwords in the allotted time wins.
If you are looking for a clever, fun, and unique group game, try playing Buzzword. It is just enough to test your skills but easy enough to make a fun night of it. Join in the fun with Buzzword or even Buzzword Junior for kids. Play the game Buzzword today!
Here are the steps to play the game. One player is chosen to be the first "buzzmaster." The buzzmaster chooses a word or phrase that the other players must try to convey to the group without saying it out loud. The other players take turns trying to convey the buzzword to the group by describing it, acting it out, or using synonyms. The other players must not use the actual word or phrase, or any part of it, in their clues. The other players take turns giving clues until someone correctly guesses the buzzword. The player who correctly guesses the buzzword becomes the new buzzmaster and chooses the next word or phrase.
The game continues with players taking turns as the buzzmaster and the other players trying to guess the buzzword. The game can be timed, and the player who correctly guesses the most buzzwords in the allotted time wins.
If you are looking for a clever, fun, and unique group game, try playing Buzzword. It is just enough to test your skills but easy enough to make a fun night of it. Join in the fun with Buzzword or even Buzzword Junior for kids. Play the game Buzzword today!
- Awarded the Seal of Approval from The National Parenting Center
- Awarded a Silver Honor from Parents Choice Foundation
- 400 Sets Of Buzzword Clues On 200 Cards
- 10 Scoring Cards
- 45-second Timer
- Scoreboard
- Marker
- Official Buzzword Game Rules And Instructions

Be the first team to score 50 points and you win Buzzword!

Perparation: Divide into two teams and give each team a name. Have them write their name in one of the ovals in the Scoreboard. Place Scoreboard and Marker nearby - you will need a damp tissue to wipe off the Scoreboard later.
Shuffle the 10 Scoring Cards and deal five cards to each team. Then each team adds up the numbers on their five cards. The team with the highest total goes first.
Place all the Scoring Cards face-up in a pile, arranged in order from 1 to 10, with the 1 card on top. Keep the Card Box nearby, as the cards are printed with different colors on each side. Play through one color first, then switch to the other color to avoid repeating the same side.
With everything in place, you’re ready to start the game!
Game Play: Teams take turns. On a team member's turn, he or she reads clues to teammates. On your turn, draw a card from the box and say the Buzzword. Start the Timer and begin reading the clues in order, 1 to 10. Your teammates will make guesses, saying their answers aloud. If your team is stumped, you may pass and move on to the next clue. You cannot move to another clue until your team either gives a correct answer, or says "Pass." Any passed clue cannot be revisited later in the game. Remember, stop reading when the time has ended—the other team will pick up any signals after the times are over.
While the playing team is taking their turn, the opposing team has two major activities: handling the Scoring Cards and observing the Timer. One player of the opposing team shall hold the Scoring Cards. As the reader gives the clues, the opposing player will lay down one card for each clue in numerical order. Place the card number-side down for every correct answer and number-side up for every clue passed. The opposing team also keeps an eye on the Timer and loudly shouts "Buzzzz!" when the time expires. Leave the rest of the cards number-side up.
Once the Timer has expired, the opposing team has an opportunity to steal. They can answer any clues that were passed or left unanswered before the timer expired. The same reader of the playing team should read, out loud, the passed and unanswered clues, identified by the face-up Scoring Cards. The opposing team then has the option to answer or pass immediately.
Scoring is easy: the team earns a point for each correct answer either while playing or stealing. Mark the points on the Scoreboard. The first to reach 50 points, provided that both teams have taken the same number of turns, wins the game!
Please keep in mind that the official Buzzword PDF rules listed below could be different depending on the version you have. They should be an exact copy of what came in your original packaging. Download them to view now or print them for later use.
Shuffle the 10 Scoring Cards and deal five cards to each team. Then each team adds up the numbers on their five cards. The team with the highest total goes first.
Place all the Scoring Cards face-up in a pile, arranged in order from 1 to 10, with the 1 card on top. Keep the Card Box nearby, as the cards are printed with different colors on each side. Play through one color first, then switch to the other color to avoid repeating the same side.
With everything in place, you’re ready to start the game!
Game Play: Teams take turns. On a team member's turn, he or she reads clues to teammates. On your turn, draw a card from the box and say the Buzzword. Start the Timer and begin reading the clues in order, 1 to 10. Your teammates will make guesses, saying their answers aloud. If your team is stumped, you may pass and move on to the next clue. You cannot move to another clue until your team either gives a correct answer, or says "Pass." Any passed clue cannot be revisited later in the game. Remember, stop reading when the time has ended—the other team will pick up any signals after the times are over.
While the playing team is taking their turn, the opposing team has two major activities: handling the Scoring Cards and observing the Timer. One player of the opposing team shall hold the Scoring Cards. As the reader gives the clues, the opposing player will lay down one card for each clue in numerical order. Place the card number-side down for every correct answer and number-side up for every clue passed. The opposing team also keeps an eye on the Timer and loudly shouts "Buzzzz!" when the time expires. Leave the rest of the cards number-side up.
Once the Timer has expired, the opposing team has an opportunity to steal. They can answer any clues that were passed or left unanswered before the timer expired. The same reader of the playing team should read, out loud, the passed and unanswered clues, identified by the face-up Scoring Cards. The opposing team then has the option to answer or pass immediately.
Scoring is easy: the team earns a point for each correct answer either while playing or stealing. Mark the points on the Scoreboard. The first to reach 50 points, provided that both teams have taken the same number of turns, wins the game!
Please keep in mind that the official Buzzword PDF rules listed below could be different depending on the version you have. They should be an exact copy of what came in your original packaging. Download them to view now or print them for later use.
Share with us your comments, funny stories, tips, advice, strategies, creative ways to play, questions about playing, problems with the directions, etc. All submissions will be reviewed within 24 hours.
Dal says:
Our house long debated the interpretation of "turn" and what constitutes the end of the game. Does the "non playing" (non-reading) team get their final steal once the other team has read their card and reached 50? It is understandable and fair to allow the final steal immediately after the reading team reaches 50, to assure an even number of reads and steals between the two teams. However, the rules seem to describe a "turn" as reading the card during the timer. According to the rules then, the FIRST team to 50 after the teams have had the same number of turns ("reads") wins the game. Thus, the final opportunity to steal would not apply. The important thing is to settle the "house" rules before the game as to whether a "turn" will include the steal or not.
08-14-2016
Our house long debated the interpretation of "turn" and what constitutes the end of the game. Does the "non playing" (non-reading) team get their final steal once the other team has read their card and reached 50? It is understandable and fair to allow the final steal immediately after the reading team reaches 50, to assure an even number of reads and steals between the two teams. However, the rules seem to describe a "turn" as reading the card during the timer. According to the rules then, the FIRST team to 50 after the teams have had the same number of turns ("reads") wins the game. Thus, the final opportunity to steal would not apply. The important thing is to settle the "house" rules before the game as to whether a "turn" will include the steal or not.
Spider says:
Question: How long does the stealing team get to answer the questions the playing team missed ?
02-08-2014
Question: How long does the stealing team get to answer the questions the playing team missed ?
ann says:
We would like to know the same thing! Why add the phrase "when both teams have had an equal number of turns"? If Team A gets to 50, and Team B still has a turn, what good does it do for Team B to play its turn?
08-11-2012
We would like to know the same thing! Why add the phrase "when both teams have had an equal number of turns"? If Team A gets to 50, and Team B still has a turn, what good does it do for Team B to play its turn?
jerry wolford says:
we need a clarification - what does a 'turn' consist of? Is it both teams hsving a shot at one buzzword ('playing' team, then 'stealing' team), or is it just the 'playing' team. Because when the 'playing' team reaches 50 - do they win or does the 'stealing' team still have a chance to beat them by reaching 51 on their steal? wolford1951@yahoo.com
11-28-2010
we need a clarification - what does a 'turn' consist of? Is it both teams hsving a shot at one buzzword ('playing' team, then 'stealing' team), or is it just the 'playing' team. Because when the 'playing' team reaches 50 - do they win or does the 'stealing' team still have a chance to beat them by reaching 51 on their steal? wolford1951@yahoo.com
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