Hangman

Hangman is the word-guessing game: a word is hidden as a row of blanks, and you guess it one letter at a time. A right letter fills in every place it appears; a wrong one adds a part to the figure, and after six wrong guesses — head, body, two arms and two legs — the round is lost and the word is shown. The words come in five categories: animals, countries, fruit and vegetables, sports and science, about thirty in each, all common English words from four to twelve letters. Pick a category for a hint, or play any category; the category is always shown. Guess with the letter buttons or by typing on your keyboard. Every word you get right adds to your winning streak; a lost round starts it again, and your best streak is kept on this device. It is good spelling practice for children, and a quick game for anyone.

1. Choose a category, or play any.
2. Guess letters with the buttons or your keyboard.
3. Fill in the word before six wrong guesses.
4. Press Next word to keep your streak going.

• Words are English and in upper case; there are no phrases, spaces or hyphens.
• About 150 words in all, so long sessions will repeat some (never the one just played).
• The game runs in your browser. Your best streak is kept on this device only.

The vowels E, A, O and I, then common consonants such as R, S, T, N and L.

Six: one for each part of the figure.

Yes — just type a letter. It is not counted while a menu or field has focus.

They were chosen for this game: about thirty everyday words in each of the five categories, checked for spelling.

Yes. The words are everyday ones, and the figure is a simple stick drawing.