VocabDictionary

word golf

/ˈwɜːrd ɡɒlf/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A word game in which players attempt to transform a starting word into a target word by changing one letter at a time, with each intermediate step resulting in a valid word, aiming to complete the transformation in the minimum number of moves.

Example Sentences:
  • We played a few rounds of word golf to pass the time, trying to turn 'cold' into 'warm' in just four steps.
  • The challenge of word golf is finding the most efficient path between two seemingly unrelated words.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “word golf”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

A compound term derived from 'word' (a unit of language) and 'golf' (a game involving a series of steps to reach a target). The term emerged in the late 20th century to describe linguistic puzzles that mimic the mechanics of golf, specifically the goal of transforming one word into another in the fewest possible steps, similar to Lewis Carroll's 'Word Ladder' game.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'golfing' through a dictionary: you are hitting a word from one 'hole' (starting word) to the next (target word) with the fewest strokes (letter changes).

Frequently Asked Questions About “word golf

1. What is the meaning of “word golf” in English?

In English, word golf (noun) is defined as: “A word game in which players attempt to transform a starting word into a target word by changing one letter at a time, with each intermediate step resulting in a valid word, aiming to complete the transformation in the minimum number of moves.”.

2. How do you use “word golf” in a sentence?

We played a few rounds of word golf to pass the time, trying to turn 'cold' into 'warm' in just four steps.

3. What are English synonyms of “word golf”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “word golf”?

A compound term derived from 'word' (a unit of language) and 'golf' (a game involving a series of steps to reach a target). The term emerged in the late 20th century to describe linguistic puzzles that mimic the mechanics of golf, specifically the goal of transforming one word into another in the fewest possible steps, similar to Lewis Carroll's 'Word Ladder' game.