Hosted by Merriam-Webster — the oldest dictionary publisher in the United States — Blossom Word Game challenges players to use a set of randomly generated letters to create words. Like other online word games, Blossom Word Game can be addictive on account of its friendly, visually appealing interface and the stimulating mental workout it offers.
Playing Word Blossom is simple: use the 7 random letters you’re given to make a total of 12 words. Every word you create turns into a bloom that gets planted in a cute little flowerpot. After the petals are counted to the tune of a xylophone note, your score will be revealed. The longer the word, the more points you earn. Plus, you’ll get 5 bonus points if you use the letter on the petal outlined in yellow and an extra 7 if you create a pangram, which is a word that uses all 7 letters. Fill all 12 flowerpots, and you’ll have completed the day’s puzzle.
You can play Blossom Word Game again, but the letters won’t change; like Spelling Bee by The New York Times, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow for a brand-new game. When you’re done planting flowers, and it comes time to end your virtual gardening session, here are five alternative games to Word Blossom Game that you can play next!
1. Last Letter First
Last Letter First continues to grow in popularity among online word game fans from around the globe. It’s a fantastic alternative to the Blossom Word Game because it allows you to flaunt and strengthen your vocabulary, not to mention strategize so you can stump fellow players. Just like Pilfer, you can play against a bot, with strangers who are playing online, or with your own family members or friends. If you choose to invite others to play with you, up to 10 people can join your game! Whether you are a new or seasoned player, Last Letter First delivers excitement and exhilaration because you never know what word your opponent will send your way and vice versa.
2. Quordle
Quordle is another great online word game hosted by Merriam-Webster. Similar to Wordle by The New York Times, Quordle summons you to guess a five-letter word. During every turn, the letters in the word you guess will each be outlined in a certain color: gray for incorrect letter, yellow for correct letter but in the wrong location, and green for correct letter in the right location. Quordle ups the ante by giving you four game boards on one screen and 9 chances to guess all 4 words, so it’s a bit more overwhelming than Wordle — but in a good way!
3. Scrabble
Scrabble may be considered an old-school game, but that doesn’t mean that it has lost its charm. If you’re eager to create more words using a random set of letters, Scrabble won’t disappoint. Like Last Letter First, this game rewards those who like to strategize and consistently build their vocabulary.
4. Spelling Bee
There’s no denying that if Blossom Word Game had a sibling, it would be Spelling Bee. These two games are so similar because they share the same goal: create words using the letters you’re assigned, and make sure you use the letter highlighted in the center at least once. The New York Times maintains a much simpler, cleaner look when it comes to its interface (sorry, no xylophone notes or flowerpots here!) But you are still working with a total of 7 letters, and discovering the day’s pangram is always a pleasurable achievement.
5. Pilfer
According to Merriam-Webster, Pilfer is the publishing company’s “version of a 19th-century tabletop game originally called ‘Word Making and Taking.’” Whether you decide to play against your computer, with fellow online word game enthusiasts, or with friends/family members you recruit, Pilfer is a fast-paced game that involves making words out of letter tiles. Those letter tiles (60 in all) will fall from the top of your screen, so you’ll need to start typing and entering words as soon as you can in the race to outscore your opponent. In addition to making words, you can also steal them; if, for example, your opponent submits the word “boss,” you could easily “steal” this word by making “toss” as soon as a T appears on the board. Once all 60 tiles have been revealed, the game ends 30 seconds later. The player who made — and stole — the most words wins!
Grow Your Vocabulary
Language is a beautiful thing — a garden that’s always in bloom, if you will. There’s something to be said about the words we plant in our brains and how we can use those words to remind us that a growing vocabulary nourishes the way we communicate with ourselves and with each other and, in turn, enriches the world around us.
We invite you to play Last Letter First by downloading it on your phone or tablet. If you prefer, you can even access the game on your desktop browser. No matter where you play, when you play, or who you play with, our game will empower you to connect with others who value the benefits of high-quality online word games.
