About Word Ladder
Lewis Carroll invented this game in 1877. Start with one word, end with another, change one letter at a time. Each step must be a real word. Get from COLD to WARM. Or HEAD to TAIL. Sounds easy. It isn't.
How to Play
- You see a START word and an END word
- Type your next word — it must differ by exactly ONE letter
- Each step must be a real word from the dictionary
- Continue until you reach the END word
- Fewer steps = higher score
Tips & Strategy
- Look at which letters in the START need to change — sometimes 2-3 letters need swapping
- Change vowels first when possible — they're more flexible than consonants
- Common bridge words: CARE, BATE, BATH, PARE, HARE — these connect to many others
- If stuck, undo and try a different second word
Brain Benefits
Word Ladder builds working memory (holding the goal word in mind), planning ability (looking 2-3 steps ahead), and vocabulary breadth. It's a favorite of cognitive psychology researchers.