How to use this list
Playing in person without an app, you need one person who sits out as the host. They pick a pair, write the words on folded slips of paper (or show them one at a time on a phone), and keep track of who the undercover is. A common setup is one undercover for 4–7 players and two for 8–12, which is also what Party Club uses.
If nobody wants to sit out, play Undercover on Party Club instead. Everyone joins one room on their own phone, the site deals the words and runs a secret vote, so the whole group gets to play. The online game draws from its own built-in library of 48 pairs (Food & drinks, Everyday things, Out & about). None of them appear on this page, so reading this list won’t spoil an online round.
100 word pairs by category
Food & drink
Swap these in for a dinner party or a first round.
| Civilian word | Undercover word |
|---|---|
| Pancakes | Waffles |
| Ketchup | Mustard |
| Taco | Burrito |
| Cupcake | Muffin |
| Donut | Bagel |
| Pizza | Calzone |
| Lemonade | Iced tea |
| Popcorn | Pretzels |
| Hot dog | Corn dog |
| Watermelon | Cantaloupe |
Animals
Easy to picture, so everyone can join in.
| Civilian word | Undercover word |
|---|---|
| Dolphin | Shark |
| Guinea pig | Hamster |
| Butterfly | Moth |
| Frog | Toad |
| Owl | Eagle |
| Horse | Donkey |
| Bee | Wasp |
| Lion | Tiger |
| Sheep | Goat |
| Octopus | Squid |
Around the house
Everyday things with lots of small differences to hint at.
| Civilian word | Undercover word |
|---|---|
| Spoon | Fork |
| Candle | Flashlight |
| Blanket | Sleeping bag |
| Shampoo | Conditioner |
| Fridge | Freezer |
| Stairs | Elevator |
| Broom | Vacuum cleaner |
| Curtains | Blinds |
| Mug | Wine glass |
| Mirror | Window |
Jobs
Good for work icebreakers: everyone has an opinion about these.
| Civilian word | Undercover word |
|---|---|
| Doctor | Nurse |
| Firefighter | Police officer |
| Chef | Baker |
| Pilot | Flight attendant |
| Teacher | Librarian |
| Farmer | Gardener |
| Singer | Actor |
| Lawyer | Judge |
| Mail carrier | Delivery driver |
| Photographer | Painter |
Sports & hobbies
Works well with a group that already knows each other.
| Civilian word | Undercover word |
|---|---|
| Basketball | Volleyball |
| Tennis | Ping-pong |
| Surfing | Skateboarding |
| Chess | Checkers |
| Yoga | Pilates |
| Bowling | Mini golf |
| Knitting | Sewing |
| Jigsaw puzzle | Crossword |
| Karaoke | Open mic night |
| Boxing | Wrestling |
Places & travel
Clues can be about who goes there and what you do.
| Civilian word | Undercover word |
|---|---|
| Castle | Palace |
| Cruise ship | Ferry |
| Lighthouse | Windmill |
| Hospital | Pharmacy |
| Bakery | Café |
| Tent | Cabin |
| Bridge | Tunnel |
| Taxi | Limousine |
| Passport | Boarding pass |
| Desert | Savanna |
Holidays & celebrations
Handy for seasonal parties.
| Civilian word | Undercover word |
|---|---|
| Christmas | Thanksgiving |
| Birthday | Anniversary |
| Snowman | Scarecrow |
| Fireworks | Sparklers |
| Wedding | Prom |
| Valentine’s Day | Mother’s Day |
| Gift | Greeting card |
| Costume | Uniform |
| Summer vacation | Spring break |
| Santa Claus | Easter Bunny |
Nature & weather
A bit more abstract; good once people have the hang of it.
| Civilian word | Undercover word |
|---|---|
| Rain | Snow |
| Volcano | Geyser |
| River | Waterfall |
| Sunrise | Sunset |
| Rainbow | Northern lights |
| Cactus | Aloe vera |
| Forest | Jungle |
| Thunder | Lightning |
| Cave | Canyon |
| Rose | Tulip |
Easy pairs for kids and first-timers
The words are further apart, so it is easier to spot the odd one out.
| Civilian word | Undercover word |
|---|---|
| Cat | Dog |
| Sun | Moon |
| Shoes | Socks |
| Train | Airplane |
| Robot | Alien |
| Ghost | Witch |
| Princess | Mermaid |
| Banana | Mango |
| Cookies | Candy |
| Pirate | Knight |
Close calls (hard mode)
Very similar words. Expect long debates and surprising votes.
| Civilian word | Undercover word |
|---|---|
| Latte | Cappuccino |
| Alligator | Crocodile |
| Hurricane | Tornado |
| Violin | Cello |
| Soup | Stew |
| Rabbit | Hare |
| Sweater | Hoodie |
| Novel | Short story |
| Crown | Tiara |
| Lake | Pond |
What makes a good pair
- Same kind of thing, known to everyone. If someone at the table doesn’t know a word, they give themselves away the moment they speak, undercover or not.
- Similar, with one clear difference. Dolphins and sharks both swim with a fin on their back, but only one is friendly to swimmers. That gap is what makes clues interesting.
- Avoid “a type of” pairs. Dog and Animal don’t work: every clue for Dog also fits Animal, so the undercover never stands out.
- Start easy with new groups. Begin with Food, Animals or the easy list; save Close calls for players who already know the game.
- Watch out in mixed-language groups. The rules ban translating your word, so skip pairs where someone’s first language has one word for both, like Rabbit and Hare.
Playing with Mr. White
Some groups add a Mr. White, a player who gets a blank card and has to improvise from everyone else’s clues. Any pair on this page works for that. House rules for how Mr. White wins vary, so agree on them before you start. The online version on Party Club has civilians and undercovers only, with no Mr. White.
Next steps
Got your words? Read Undercover tips on giving clues without giving yourself away, or check the full Undercover rules.