How to play

Guess by meaning, then follow the ranks.

CloseWord looks simple, but the feedback is different from most word games. You are not trying to match letters. You are trying to move through related concepts until your guesses surround the answer.

Step 1

Start with a broad guess

Enter any common English word. Early guesses are useful even when they are far away because they define which areas of meaning are probably wrong.

Step 2

Read the rank

The rank tells you how many ready words are closer to the hidden answer than your guess. Rank 1 is the answer. A rank under 50 usually means you are in the right neighborhood.

Step 3

Use hints carefully

Each puzzle has three hints. A hint reveals a nearby word and its rank, so it is best used when your guesses are circling the answer but not converging.

Step 4

Find the exact word

The puzzle is complete when one of your guesses reaches rank 1. Your guess list remains sorted by closeness so you can review the path you took.

Rank guide

Solved

Exact answer

#2-50

Very close

Same concept area

#51-300

Warm

Useful direction

#301+

Cold

Try another branch