Word search glossary

Grid / grid size: The square of letters (e.g. 10×10). Larger grids fit longer words and feel harder.

Theme: A labeled word list (animals, colors, etc.) used to fill the puzzle.

Word list: The set of words you must find, shown beside or below the grid.

Adjacent: Letters that touch horizontally, vertically, or diagonally in one step along a straight line.

Diagonal: A word placed on a slanted line through the grid.

Hint: A nudge toward an unsolved word’s location or direction.

Answer key (print): Optional overlay showing where words sit for teachers or self-checking on paper.

Validation: Checking whether your current selection matches a target word.