Explore every theme, find example words and pick the perfect category for your group
Every round of The Impostor revolves around a secret word drawn from a category chosen by the host. The category determines the theme and difficulty of the round: some topics are universally known (like Animals) while others require specialized knowledge (like Videogames or Brands).
Choosing the right category is key to a balanced game. If the words are too easy, the impostor can guess them quickly. If they are too niche, even citizens may struggle to give clear hints. Below you will find every category currently available, complete with difficulty ratings, example words and tips.
Not sure which to pick? Try REMIX mode, which mixes words from multiple categories for an unpredictable, exciting experience.
REMIX pools words from several categories into one giant deck. The host can choose a REMIX difficulty level:
Tip: REMIX is perfect when you cannot decide on a single theme or want maximum variety between rounds.
Below is every individual category you can select. Each listing includes a brief description, a difficulty rating, sample words, and a strategic tip.
From household pets to exotic wildlife, this category covers the animal kingdom. One of the most accessible themes in the game.
Difficulty: Easy
Example words: Dog, Elephant, Penguin, Shark, Eagle, Frog, Rabbit, Dolphin
Tip: Avoid overly generic hints like "living thing." Instead, reference habitat or size to prove you know the exact animal.
Dishes, ingredients and beverages from every corner of the globe. A universally relatable category that works with any age group.
Difficulty: Easy
Example words: Pizza, Sushi, Chocolate, Burger, Pasta, Mango, Croissant, Taco
Tip: Use sensory descriptions — taste, texture, temperature — to give precise hints without saying the word outright.
Iconic films from Hollywood, animation studios and world cinema. Players need a decent pop-culture awareness to thrive here.
Difficulty: Medium
Example words: Titanic, Avatar, Frozen, Jaws, Rocky, Matrix, Shrek, Inception
Tip: Reference actors, memorable scenes or release decades rather than plot summaries that could fit multiple films.
Popular series spanning drama, comedy, reality and animation. A great choice for groups of TV enthusiasts.
Difficulty: Medium
Example words: Friends, Stranger Things, Breaking Bad, The Office, Squid Game, Lost, Narcos, Seinfeld
Tip: Mention character names or signature catchphrases to set yourself apart from the impostor.
Nations from every continent. Geography buffs will shine, but most well-known countries keep it accessible.
Difficulty: Medium
Example words: Japan, Brazil, Egypt, Canada, Australia, Italy, Mexico, India
Tip: Cultural landmarks, cuisine or famous people make for strong, specific hints.
Athletic disciplines and popular games — from mainstream favourites to Olympic events.
Difficulty: Easy
Example words: Football, Tennis, Basketball, Swimming, Boxing, Cycling, Golf, Volleyball
Tip: Reference equipment or playing surfaces (court, pitch, ring) for medium-specificity hints.
Famous locations, landmarks and types of venues. Think tourist destinations and everyday spots alike.
Difficulty: Medium
Example words: Beach, Museum, Airport, Castle, Library, Stadium, Hospital, Park
Tip: Describe what you do at the place or what you find there rather than its physical appearance.
Jobs and careers from every field. A versatile category that encourages creative hint-giving.
Difficulty: Medium
Example words: Doctor, Firefighter, Chef, Pilot, Teacher, Astronaut, Lawyer, Musician
Tip: Mention tools, uniforms or workplaces associated with the profession for distinctive hints.
Vehicles and modes of transport — from everyday commutes to exotic rides.
Difficulty: Easy
Example words: Bicycle, Train, Helicopter, Submarine, Motorcycle, Bus, Canoe, Rocket
Tip: Speed, terrain and fuel type provide quick, effective hint angles.
Instruments, genres and music-related concepts. Perfect for groups with musical interests.
Difficulty: Medium
Example words: Guitar, Piano, Drums, Jazz, Opera, Violin, Reggae, Flute
Tip: Reference sound characteristics, famous players or cultural origins to craft unique hints.
Everyday items you might find at home, in an office or in a toolbox. Simple yet surprisingly tricky.
Difficulty: Easy
Example words: Umbrella, Clock, Mirror, Candle, Scissors, Pillow, Lamp, Key
Tip: Describe the object's function or material. Avoid colour-based hints — they are usually too vague.
Elements of the natural world — landscapes, weather phenomena, plants and geological features.
Difficulty: Easy
Example words: Volcano, Rainbow, Forest, Ocean, Desert, Waterfall, Lightning, Glacier
Tip: Scale and location are great angles. "Massive" and "tropical" tell very different stories.
A beginner-friendly category featuring colours and shades. Ideal for younger players or warm-up rounds.
Difficulty: Easy
Example words: Red, Blue, Gold, Purple, Turquoise, Orange, Silver, Pink
Tip: Associate the colour with well-known objects or emotions ("passion," "ocean") instead of just naming similar shades.
Feelings and emotional states. This abstract category forces creative, metaphor-heavy hints.
Difficulty: Hard
Example words: Joy, Anger, Fear, Nostalgia, Jealousy, Pride, Anxiety, Gratitude
Tip: Describe situations or physical sensations tied to the emotion. Abstract-to-abstract hints confuse everyone.
Iconic titles from consoles, PC and mobile. Best suited for groups with gaming knowledge.
Difficulty: Medium–Hard
Example words: Minecraft, Fortnite, Zelda, Mario, GTA, Tetris, Pokémon, FIFA
Tip: Reference gameplay mechanics or release platforms rather than story details that non-gamers will not recognise.
Comic book and movie superheroes from Marvel, DC and beyond.
Difficulty: Medium
Example words: Spider-Man, Batman, Wonder Woman, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Flash, Wolverine
Tip: Mention powers, alter egos or origin stories. Costume colours work in a pinch but overlap across heroes.
Gadgets, software and tech concepts from the digital age. Great for tech-savvy groups.
Difficulty: Medium–Hard
Example words: Smartphone, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Drone, Robot, Algorithm, Cloud, VR
Tip: Everyday use cases make better hints than technical jargon, since not everyone has the same background.
Well-known global brands across industries. The most challenging category — brand awareness varies widely.
Difficulty: Hard
Example words: Nike, Apple, Netflix, LEGO, IKEA, Coca-Cola, Tesla, Google
Tip: Reference slogans, logos or flagship products. Avoid hints that only apply in certain regions.
Not every category works for every group. Here are some guidelines to help you pick:
Stick to Animals, Colors, Food or Easy REMIX. These themes use familiar words that children recognise instantly.
Go for Movies, TV Shows, Music or Medium REMIX. Pop-culture categories spark lively debates and laughs.
Challenge yourselves with Emotions, Brands, Technology or Hard REMIX. Abstract and niche categories test expert-level deduction.
Choose universally understood themes like Countries, Sports, Nature. Avoid categories with regional bias (Brands, TV Shows).
When in doubt, start with a couple of easy rounds to warm up, then gradually increase the difficulty as players get comfortable.
The best way to discover your favourite categories is to play them. Each theme brings a different dynamic to the table — some rounds will be fast and obvious, others will turn into heated debates that last twice as long. That variety is what makes The Impostor endlessly replayable.
Play The Impostor now — it's free!
New to the game? Read our complete how-to-play guide first. For advanced tactics, check out 10 Strategies to Catch the Impostor.