"Describe the word" is a whole family of party games where one player conveys a word and the others guess it. There are two ways to describe: with words (that's Alias) or with gestures (that's Charades). Both games get a group going within a minute, play online for free and need nothing but a browser. Let's break down how they differ, how to play them and what variants there are.
Two kinds of "describe the word" games
The key difference is how you describe the chosen word.
Alias — you speak, but never say the word itself or words from the same root. Charades — you stay silent and mime it.
Alias (the "describe-the-word" game)
The clue-giver describes a word using other words, against the clock — the team guesses. You cannot say the word itself or any word from the same root.
Charades (mime)
The clue-giver acts out the word with gestures and facial expressions, without words or sounds — the team guesses from the movements.
Alias: describe with words
In Alias you try to describe as many words as possible within a minute. Say the word itself or one from the same root and it doesn't count — play moves on.
Describe using any words except "sea", "seaside" and others from the same root.
- Played in teams. The group splits into two or more teams; the clue-giver describes words to their own team.
- Timed. A round runs for a limited time (usually a minute) — whoever guesses the most words scores the points.
- No same-root words. You cannot say the word itself, its parts or any word from the same root — otherwise the word is burned.
Charades: act it out with gestures
In Charades you cannot describe with words at all — only gestures, facial expressions and mime. Talking, making sounds and spelling out letters are forbidden.
The clue-giver acts out the word with movements — the team shouts out guesses over each other.
- Body only. Gestures, expressions and poses are allowed — but not sounds, not mouthing words, not letters drawn in the air (in the strict version).
- Piece by piece. A tricky word is easier to act out syllable by syllable or through similar simple words.
- Whoever guesses, acts next. Usually the right to act passes to the person who guessed.
How to play online with friends
You don't have to be in the same room — both games work online.
- Room by code. Create a room on muta.pro and send friends the code or link — you can play from a phone or a computer.
- Over video call. For Charades turn on a video call so you can see the gestures, and keep the words and score in the game.
- No sign-up. Jump in and play right away, for free.
Variants: kids, 18+, timed and untimed
Kids
Simple, familiar words — great for playing with children and the whole family.
For adults (18+)
Sets with bolder and trickier words for a group of grown-ups.
Timed / untimed
The classic is a one-minute round; the relaxed version has no timer — describe for as long as you need.
For two
You can play as a pair too: take turns describing to each other and count who guessed more.
How to describe a tricky word
Tricky words are the most fun. A couple of tricks that help out.
- Through associations. In Charades a "landmine" is acted out as something you bury in the ground and step on carefully; in Alias — "a weapon that explodes under your foot".
- Piece by piece. Break the word into syllables or into "sounds like" and act out/describe each part separately.
- By contrast. Sometimes it's easier to say what the word is not and narrow things down.
Frequently asked questions
More word games for a group
If you enjoyed Alias and Charades — try other word and association games:
- Just One. Co-op: everyone writes a single clue for a word, identical ones are crossed out — the guesser only sees the unique ones.
- Codenames. The clue-givers give one association for several words at once, and the teams guess their own agents on the board.
- Cities. The classic chain game: name a city starting with the last letter of the previous one.
Play online for free
Pick the format to match your group's mood: if you love to talk, go for Alias (describe with words); if you love to goof around, Charades (act it out with gestures). Both games are in the party games section, free and right in your browser.