Dumb Charades Words

Press Play a 1-minute round and pass the actor the phone: 202 cards for the silent game, no film titles.

Dumb Charades Words

Missing the last bus by three seconds

Next step Charades ideas for teensThe full deck of charades ideas

All 202 dumb charades words

Film scenes, no titles 24

  • A car chase through a vegetable market Steer hard, duck, and keep brushing flying cabbages off the windscreen.
  • A dramatic head turn, replayed three times Gasp and whip your head round. Rewind. Do the same turn twice more from new angles.
  • A heist crew crawling under laser beams Limbo under one beam, step high over the next, and freeze when a toe nearly touches.
  • A lawyer leaping up in court to object Sit, slam the table, spring up with one finger raised. The shout stays silent.
  • A rain dance in the middle of the street Hold out a palm, look up, then throw both arms wide and spin.
  • A song and dance around a tree Peek out from behind an invisible trunk, left side then right side, then circle it.
  • A training montage before the big match Five seconds each of skipping, push-ups, shadow footwork and running up steps, then arms raised at the top.
  • A wedding stopped at the last second by someone bursting in Be the couple exchanging rings, then the doors flying open, then every guest turning round.
  • An alien spaceship landing in the back garden Shield your eyes from the light above, watch it come down, then wave at what steps out.
  • The cliffhanger just before the interval Build to a shocked face and freeze completely, as if the picture has stopped.
  • Cutting the red wire with one second left on the clock Wipe your brow, hover between two wires, snip, then collapse with relief.
  • The detective gathering everyone in one room to name the culprit Pace in front of a row of suspects, point at one, shake your head, and spin to point at another.
  • The end credits rolling while the audience walks out Scroll both hands slowly upward, then shuffle sideways along a row carrying an empty popcorn tub.
  • The ghost gliding down a corridor holding a candle Tiny steps so that you seem to float, one hand shielding the flame.
  • Hanging from the edge of a cliff by one hand Stand with one arm straight up, fingers slipping one at a time, legs kicking.
  • The hero making an entrance in sunglasses with a coat flapping in the wind Walk in slowly, put the sunglasses on, and hold your coat out behind you with one hand.
  • The hero walking away from an explosion in slow motion Walk toward the guessers very slowly, flinch once as it goes off behind you, and never look back.
  • Long-lost twins recognizing each other Play both twins: the same gesture on each side, then the double take, then the hug.
  • Running alongside a moving train to catch an outstretched hand Run on the spot with one arm stretched forward, fingertips almost touching, then the grab.
  • The slow clap that spreads through the whole crowd One slow silent clap. Then become a second person joining in, then a third, then everyone.
  • Stealing the keys from a snoring guard's belt Show the guard first with a huge silent snore, then creep up, unhook the keys and freeze when he stirs.
  • Swinging in on a rope to save the day Grab high with both hands, swing across the room, land in a pose.
  • Two people running toward each other across a field Play both: run in slow motion from the left, then from the right, then the spin in the middle.
  • The villain laughing in a swivel chair Silent laugh: head back, shoulders shaking. Then turn the chair slowly to face the guessers.

Film words 24

  • Audition Wait nervously with a script, step forward, perform too much, and wait for the verdict.
  • Background dancer Dance with great effort while pointing at an invisible star in front of you who gets all the attention.
  • Blockbuster Two halves. BLOCK: stack a toy block. BUSTER: smash it with a fist.
  • Blooper reel Start a serious scene, trip over a word, and collapse laughing. Reset. Do it again.
  • Box office Two words. Draw a box, then sit at a desk. Or sell tickets through a tiny window.
  • Clapperboard Hold one forearm flat on the other and snap it shut like a jaw.
  • Close-up Make a frame with your fingers and move it in until it holds only one eye.
  • Double role Play two people in one conversation, jumping from spot to spot and changing your posture each time.
  • Dream sequence Fall asleep on your feet, then waltz through the mist in a new costume every few seconds. Wake with a jolt.
  • Film critic Watch with a notebook and a frown, then hold up a small number of fingers as a star rating.
  • Flashback Wiggle your fingers in front of your face like a dissolving picture, then become a child.
  • Playback singer Sing into a studio microphone with headphones on, then become the actor on screen moving their lips to it.
  • Popcorn bucket Hug the bucket, eat one piece at a time without taking your eyes off the screen.
  • Premiere Number one finger, then the red carpet walk and the first look at the screen.
  • Red carpet Unroll it, then walk it: wave, stop, pose for cameras on both sides.
  • Rehearsal Do the same small scene three times, checking a script in between, a little better each time.
  • Screenplay Type, tear the page out, screw it up, throw it over your shoulder. Type again.
  • Sequel Crank the movie camera, then hold up two fingers.
  • Slow motion Do anything at all, a sneeze or a wave, at one tenth of the speed.
  • Special effects Wave a wand at nothing, then react to the explosion, the monster and the spaceship that are not there.
  • Spotlight Stand in the dark, then squint as a circle of light finds you. Step sideways and let it follow.
  • Standing ovation Sit and clap silently, then rise to your feet still clapping and look around for others to join.
  • Subtitles Mouth nothing. Point at your lips, then draw a line of text under your chin and read along it.
  • Trailer Crank the movie camera, then move your hands closer together, the signal for shorter.

Stock characters 20

  • The absent-minded professor Hunt everywhere for glasses that are on top of your head.
  • The clumsy waiter Carry a tall stack of plates, wobble, save it, and lose it at the very last step.
  • The fortune teller with a crystal ball Circle your hands over the ball, peer in, recoil, and beckon the customer closer.
  • The game show host Huge grin, sweep an arm toward the prize, hold an invisible card and pause far too long before the answer.
  • The hero's funny sidekick Copy the hero pose one second late, get it wrong, and give a thumbs up anyway.
  • The knight whose armor is too heavy Walk with stiff legs, try to lift a sword arm, tip slowly backward.
  • The mad scientist Pour one flask into another, watch it fizz, and throw your head back in silent laughter.
  • The news anchor when the autocue fails Read smoothly, stop, keep smiling, shuffle papers, and glance sideways for help.
  • The nosy neighbor Twitch a curtain, then press a glass to the wall and listen with growing delight.
  • The overdramatic mother in a TV serial Hand to forehead, stagger to a chair, recover at once when somebody offers tea.
  • The pirate captain with a treasure map One eye shut, unroll the map, count ten paces and dig.
  • The robot running out of battery Move in straight lines, slow down, droop from the waist, and power off mid-gesture.
  • The royal guard who must not laugh Stand rigid. Let your lips start to twitch while your eyes follow someone pulling faces.
  • The sleepwalker Eyes closed, arms out, walk calmly toward a wall and turn at the last moment.
  • The stage magician whose trick goes wrong Show the empty hat, reach in, pull out the wrong thing, and smile at the audience as if you meant it.
  • The strict headmaster Hands behind your back, walk along a line of pupils, stop, and straighten one collar.
  • The superhero whose cape keeps getting stuck Strike the pose, stride off, and get yanked back by the door every time.
  • The undercover spy Collar up, newspaper with two eyeholes, talk into your cuff.
  • The vampire who is afraid of sunlight Cape over your face, reach for a curtain, and hiss silently at the gap of light.
  • The wise hermit on a mountaintop Sit cross-legged, stroke a long beard, and answer a climber with one slow raised finger.

Professions in action 22

  • Archaeologist brushing dust off a bone Kneel, use a tiny brush with great care, blow gently, and lift the find in two hands.
  • Astronaut doing repairs on a spacewalk Everything slow and floating. Turn a tool, let go of it, and catch it as it drifts away.
  • Auctioneer taking bids Point fast from bidder to bidder, going once, going twice, and bring the hammer down.
  • Auto rickshaw driver weaving through traffic Hands on handlebars, not a wheel. Lean into the gaps and sound a horn with your thumb.
  • Beekeeper lifting a frame from the hive Veil down, slow hands, lift the frame, and gently wave away what is on it.
  • Bus conductor squeezing down the aisle for tickets Turn sideways, hold on as the bus sways, tear a ticket, and ring the bell.
  • Cricket umpire signalling a six Stand very still, then raise both hands above your head. That is the real signal for a six.
  • Glassblower shaping a vase Turn a long pipe, puff your cheeks, keep turning, and shape the glow with a paddle.
  • Goalkeeper facing a penalty Bounce on the line with arms wide, guess a side, and dive in slow motion.
  • Ground crew waving a plane into its gate Two batons: beckon the plane straight toward you, steer it a little to one side, then give one big clear stop.
  • Librarian shushing a noisy reader Stamp a book, hear something, and raise one slow finger to your lips.
  • Lifeguard scanning the beach from a tall chair Climb up, shade your eyes, sweep left to right, then blow the whistle and point.
  • Orchestra conductor bringing in the drums Small neat beats with a baton, then a huge cue to the back of the room.
  • Sculptor chipping a statue out of stone Chisel and mallet, step back, tilt your head, and chip one more tiny piece.
  • Stock trader on a frantic trading floor Two phones, wild hand signals across the room, and a look at a screen that ruins your day.
  • Street artist sketching a portrait in five minutes Look up, look down, quick strokes, thumb held out to measure, and turn the pad around with pride.
  • Tailor measuring a customer for a suit Tape across the shoulders, down one arm, around the waist, pins held between your lips.
  • Tea seller filling a row of small glasses with chai Stir a pan on the boil, pour it through a strainer into a kettle, then fill the little glasses one by one and hand them out.
  • Traffic police officer at a busy junction Whistle in your mouth, one palm up to stop a lane, the other arm waving the next lane through.
  • Weather presenter pointing at a map Smile at the camera and sweep a hand across a map behind you without looking at it.
  • Wedding photographer arranging a huge family photo Wave people closer, move one tall person to the back, crouch, count down on your fingers.
  • Yoga teacher holding a pose while the class wobbles Balance calmly on one leg, then become a student doing the same thing badly.

Proverbs 32

  • A bad workman blames his tools 6 words. Start with word 6, tools: hammer your own thumb, then glare at the hammer and wag a finger at it.
  • A friend in need is a friend indeed 8 words. Start with word 2, friend: put an arm around an invisible shoulder. The word comes twice, so show both word numbers.
  • A rolling stone gathers no moss 6 words. Start with word 3, stone: try to lift something heavy, then roll your arms to set it going downhill.
  • A stitch in time saves nine 6 words. Start with word 2, stitch: thread a needle and sew, then hold up nine fingers for the last word.
  • A watched pot never boils 5 words. Start with word 3, pot: put a lid on it, fold your arms, and stare at it while you tap your foot.
  • Actions speak louder than words 5 words. Start with word 1, actions: the right proverb for this game. Do something big, then make a talking hand, then cover your ears.
  • All that glitters is not gold 6 words. Start with word 6, gold: bite a coin, admire it, then shake your head.
  • An apple a day keeps the doctor away 8 words. Start with word 2, apple: polish it on your sleeve and bite. Then a stethoscope, and wave the doctor off.
  • As you sow, so shall you reap 7 words. Start with word 3, sow: scatter seed from a bag at your hip, then swing a sickle for the last word.
  • Barking dogs seldom bite 4 words. Start with word 2, dogs: silent barks on all fours, then snap your teeth and shake your head.
  • Birds of a feather flock together 6 words. Start with word 1, birds: flap, pluck one feather, then gather a group in close.
  • Don't judge a book by its cover 7 words. Start with word 4, book: open your palms like pages, then close them and frown at the front.
  • Empty vessels make the most noise 6 words. Start with word 2, vessels: turn a pot upside down to show nothing inside, then drum on it and cover your ears.
  • Every cloud has a silver lining 6 words. Start with word 2, cloud: draw a cloud overhead, then trace a shining edge around it.
  • Haste makes waste 3 words. Start with word 1, haste: rush about in a panic, knock something over, and drop what is left in the bin.
  • Honesty is the best policy 5 words. Start with word 4, best: hand on heart for the first word, then a number one finger and a medal.
  • Laughter is the best medicine 5 words. Start with word 1, laughter: shake with silent giggles, then swallow a spoonful and pull a face.
  • Look before you leap 4 words. Start with word 4, leap: get ready to jump, stop, and peer over the edge first.
  • Make hay while the sun shines 6 words. Start with word 5, sun: draw the sun overhead, wipe your brow, then pitchfork hay.
  • Many hands make light work 5 words. Start with word 2, hands: hold up both of yours, then wave more people over to lift one end each.
  • Necessity is the mother of invention 6 words. Start with word 4, mother: rock a baby, then a light bulb moment over your head for the last word.
  • Once bitten, twice shy 4 words. Start with word 2, bitten: one finger, bite your hand, two fingers, then hide behind your arm.
  • Out of sight, out of mind 6 words. Start with word 3, sight: shade your eyes and search, then tap your temple and shrug.
  • The pen is mightier than the sword 7 words. Start with word 2, pen: write with a flourish, flex a muscle, then draw a blade.
  • Rome was not built in a day 7 words. Start with word 4, built: lay bricks one by one, then show the sun crossing the sky once and shake your head.
  • Slow and steady wins the race 6 words. Start with word 6, race: run on the spot, then plod past as the one who wins.
  • Still waters run deep 4 words. Start with word 2, waters: smooth a flat calm surface with both palms, then plunge one arm down to the shoulder.
  • Strike while the iron is hot 6 words. Start with word 4, iron: press a shirt, touch the plate, and snatch your finger away. Then swing a hammer.
  • Two heads are better than one 6 words. Start with word 2, heads: point at your head, then hold up two fingers.
  • When the cat is away the mice will play 9 words. Start with word 3, cat: wash a paw and stalk out of the door. Then become the mice and dance.
  • Where there is a will there is a way 9 words. Start with word 9, way: point down a road. The little words are the problem: hold your fingers close together without touching for a short word.
  • You can't teach an old dog new tricks 8 words. Start with word 6, dog: pant and beg, then grow a stoop and a stick for old, then refuse to roll over.

Words to act in two halves 32

  • Backbone Two halves. BACK: point over your shoulder. BONE: gnaw one like a dog.
  • Bridegroom Two halves. BRIDE: lift a veil and hold a bouquet. GROOM: brush down a horse with long strokes.
  • Bullfrog Two halves. BULL: two finger horns and a hoof pawing the ground. FROG: crouch and hop.
  • Candlelight Two halves. CANDLE: blow one out on a cake. LIGHT: flick a switch and squint.
  • Catnap Two halves. CAT: lick a paw and wash behind your ear. NAP: nod off on your feet and jerk awake.
  • Catwalk Two halves. CAT: lick a paw and wash your ear. WALK: stroll on the spot.
  • Chopsticks Two halves. CHOP: bring the side of your hand down on a board. STICKS: gather an armful of firewood.
  • Crybaby Two halves. CRY: rub both eyes with your fists. BABY: rock one in your arms.
  • Daydream Two halves. DAY: show the sun rising and stretch. DREAM: rest your head on your hands and smile.
  • Downpour Two halves. DOWN: point at the floor. POUR: tip a heavy jug into a glass.
  • Earring Two halves. EAR: pinch the lobe and hold it still, because a tug on the ear means sounds like. RING: slide one onto a finger and admire it.
  • Earthquake Two halves. EARTH: scoop up a handful of soil. QUAKE: shake from the knees up.
  • Eggplant Two halves. EGG: crack one on the edge of a pan. PLANT: press a seedling into a pot and water it.
  • Eyelash Two halves. EYE: point at yours. LASH: crack a whip.
  • Forgive Two halves. FOR: tug your earlobe for sounds like, then hold up four fingers. GIVE: hand over a wrapped present.
  • Goosebumps Two halves. GOOSE: long neck, silent honk, waddle. BUMPS: drive over a rough road.
  • Handshake Two halves. HAND: hold one up and point at it. SHAKE: wobble all over.
  • Hardship Two halves. HARD: knock on a table and shake your sore knuckles. SHIP: spin the wheel and rock with the waves.
  • Heatwave Two halves. HEAT: fan your face and pull at your collar. WAVE: say hello with your whole arm.
  • Honeymoon Two halves. HONEY: dip a finger in a jar, taste it, and wave off a bee. MOON: draw a crescent in the air.
  • Kingfisher Two halves. KING: lower a crown onto your head and wave to the crowd. FISHER: cast a rod and reel in.
  • Kneecap Two halves. KNEE: bend a leg and pat it. CAP: put one on and pull the peak down.
  • Message Two halves. MESS: look around a wrecked room in horror. AGE: stoop over a walking stick.
  • Nightmare Two halves. NIGHT: show the moon and yawn. MARE: a mare is a female horse, so trot, then point back at the first half.
  • Notice Two halves. NOT: shake your head and wag a finger. ICE: skate, slip and shiver.
  • Nowhere Two halves. NOW: tap your wrist and stamp a foot. HERE: point at the floor between your feet.
  • Season Two halves. SEA: swim a few strokes and taste the salt. SON: tug your earlobe for sounds like, then draw the sun overhead.
  • Shoebox Two halves. SHOE: tie a lace. BOX: put your fists up and jab.
  • Snowball Two halves. SNOW: shiver and catch flakes on your tongue. BALL: bounce one.
  • Teaspoon Two halves. TEA: sip from a cup with your little finger out. SPOON: stir, tap it on the rim, and lick it.
  • Thunderbolt Two halves. THUNDER: look up at the sky and cover your ears. BOLT: slide one across a door.
  • Toenail Two halves. TOE: lift a foot and wiggle the big one. NAIL: hold one steady and hammer it in.

Difficult words 26

  • Anticlimax A long drum roll, a huge box, the lid lifted inch by inch. Inside is one sock. Shrug.
  • Awkward silence Two people with nothing to say: look at the ceiling, check a watch, study your shoes.
  • Body language Two words. Sweep a hand from your head to your toes, then make a talking hand. Or fold your arms, tap a foot and let the pose do the talking.
  • Bureaucracy Queue at one window, get a stamp, get sent to the next window, get a stamp, get sent back to the first.
  • Censorship Run a strip of film through your fingers, snip a piece out with scissors, and press a hand over your mouth.
  • Conscience A tiny figure on one shoulder whispers and you nod. One on the other shoulder whispers and you hesitate.
  • Culture shock Step off a plane with a suitcase, offer a handshake to someone who bows, and stare at what arrives on your plate.
  • Déjà vu Walk in, shake a hand, sit down. Look puzzled. Do exactly the same thing again and point behind you.
  • Democracy Queue, fold a paper, post it in a box, and proudly show the ink mark on your finger.
  • Domino effect Stand a long row of tiles on end with great care, flick the first, and follow the fall around the room.
  • Exaggeration Show the fish you caught, this big. Tell it again, bigger. Again, until your arms will not stretch any further.
  • False alarm Leap up at a ringing bell, rush everyone outside, look around, and walk back in slowly.
  • Guilty pleasure Check that nobody is watching, take out the hidden chocolate, enjoy it far too much, and freeze when the door opens.
  • Hindsight Point over your shoulder, make glasses with your fingers, then slap your forehead.
  • Inflation Blow up a balloon, then show a price tag and raise your hand higher and higher.
  • Inside joke Two people catch each other's eye and collapse laughing. A third looks from one to the other, lost.
  • Irony Put up a sign that says wet paint, step back to admire it, and lean on the wall.
  • Mixed feelings Open a letter. Smile, frown, smile again, and end with one side of your face doing each.
  • Nostalgia Blow dust off an old photo album, turn a page, and smile sadly with a hand on your heart.
  • Procrastination Sit down to work, then sharpen a pencil, tidy the desk, make tea and check your phone.
  • Reverse psychology A child will not eat. Pull the plate away, wag a finger as if it is not for them, turn your back, and peek as they grab it.
  • Silent treatment Arms folded, nose up, back turned. When someone taps your shoulder, turn even further away.
  • Superstition Walk around a ladder, not under it. Knock on wood. Cross your fingers.
  • Suspicion Narrow your eyes at someone, look away, and snap your head back to catch them.
  • Vicious circle Walk a circle: yawn, drink coffee, lie awake wide-eyed, yawn, drink coffee. Go round again.
  • White lie Unwrap a present, hate it for one second, then hug the giver with a huge smile and crossed fingers behind your back.

Everyday drama 22

  • A mosquito in the bedroom at three in the morning Lie still, hear it, slap your own cheek, and sit up with the light on, hunting.
  • A power cut during the last over of the final Lean toward the screen, everything goes dark, and feel your way to the window to check the neighbors.
  • A video call with a frozen screen Talk and wave, then freeze in an unflattering pose while the rest of you keeps trying to move.
  • An aunt pinching your cheeks at a wedding Play both: the delighted aunt with both hands out, then the victim with a fixed smile.
  • Bargaining at a street market and walking away Shake your head at the price, offer half, walk off slowly, and turn back when you are called.
  • The buffet queue at a wedding Plate in hand, shuffle forward, stand on tiptoe to see what is left, and pile it too high.
  • Dancing in a wedding procession Arms up, shoulders going, moving forward a few inches at a time with the band behind you.
  • Eating something far too spicy and pretending it is fine Take a bite, smile, keep smiling while your eyes water, and reach slowly for water.
  • Flying a kite from a rooftop Let out string, tug, run backward, and keep looking straight up.
  • Getting splashed by a passing car in the monsoon Walk along under an umbrella, turn your head too late, and stand there dripping.
  • Hunting for your shoes in a pile outside the door Lift one shoe after another, try one on, find it is wrong, and hop while you keep looking.
  • Lighting a row of oil lamps Crouch, shield a small flame with one hand, light one, move along, light the next.
  • Missing the last bus by three seconds Sprint with one arm up, slow down as it pulls away, and stand with your hands on your knees.
  • The one colleague who replies to all Open a message, sigh, open another one the same, then another, and put your head in your hands.
  • Parallel parking with an audience Look over your shoulder, turn the wheel, inch back, inch forward, and give up with a wave.
  • Relatives arriving without warning Hear the doorbell, look through the peephole, and tidy the entire room in four seconds.
  • Squeezing onto a packed commuter train Breathe in, turn sideways, hold a bag over your head, and get carried along by the crowd.
  • Stuck in a lift with strangers Press the button again, avoid every eye, check your phone for a signal, and press the button again.
  • Throwing colored powder at a spring festival Scoop a handful, chase a friend, and wipe your own eyes when they get you first.
  • Waiting for exam results to load Refresh, refresh, cover your eyes, and peek between two fingers.
  • Waving back at someone who was waving at the person behind you Wave with delight, look over your shoulder, and turn the wave into smoothing your hair.
  • Your phone dying at one percent Stare at the screen, tap faster and faster, and hold it up to the sky when it goes dark.

How it works

Dumb charades words for the silent game: 202 cards in 8 topics, from film scenes and stock characters to proverbs, words to act in two halves and 26 difficult words. No film titles: the other team sets those.

Read the full guide

Why the dumb charades game is silent

Dumb is the old word for silent. Early players acted a word syllable by syllable and were allowed to speak. Truly dumb, or mime, charades caught on later. Agree on signals first: fingers for the number of words, cranking an old movie camera for a film. In India, thumbs up means English, thumbs down Hindi, and a level thumb a state language such as Tamil.

Where the film titles come from

Not from this page. In the classic rules one team writes the answer and a player from the other side performs it. So play title rounds from your own slips and the rest from the deck. Film scenes, no titles keeps the flavor: The villain laughing in a swivel chair.

  • For difficult dumb charades words, pick Difficult words: 26 abstract cards such as Bureaucracy, none of them Easy.
  • Two-halves words are split in the list: for Bridegroom, lift a veil, then brush down a horse.
  • Proverb hints give the word count and where to start: for A stitch in time saves nine, word 2, stitch.

Questions and answers

Why are there no film titles in this deck?

In this game the opposing team writes the title. This deck covers everything around the titles: 24 film scenes, 24 film words such as Flashback and Double role, and six more topics. No Bollywood or Hollywood title appears on the page.

What makes a dumb charades word difficult?

Nothing to point at. An abstract word needs a tiny scene, and each hint supplies one. For Irony: Put up a sign that says wet paint, step back to admire it, and lean on the wall. Proverbs turn hard when the little words pile up.

Can the actor use the sounds like signal?

Only if your group allows it. A tug on the earlobe rescues words that cannot be acted: for Forgive, tug your earlobe, hold up four fingers, then hand over a wrapped present. Mouthing words, spelling and pointing are usually not allowed.

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