Mad Libs word list: 200+ funny nouns, verbs and adjectives

The secret to a funny Mad Lib is a funny word in the right place. When your mind goes blank at "Give me an adverb", this list helps. It's also a handy reference for teachers using Mad Libs to practice parts of speech. (On Fun Libs, the wand button next to each prompt suggests a random word, so you never have to stay stuck.)

Funny nouns

A noun is a person, place or thing. Words that are a little bit ridiculous on their own work best.

pickle, trampoline, toaster, kazoo, spatula, llama, burrito, unicycle, mustache, submarine, lasagna, rubber duck, accordion, sock, cactus, penguin, waffle, bathtub, meatball, flamingo, trombone, potato, wig, hamster, disco ball, garden gnome, jellyfish, igloo, noodle, sombrero, broccoli, armpit, pogo stick, walrus, cupcake, lawnmower

Funny plural nouns

More than one thing. Big, specific numbers of odd things are always funny.

pickles, armpits, rubber chickens, bagpipes, nostrils, marshmallows, flip-flops, pigeons, tubas, spoons, tiny hats, eyebrows, meatballs, socks, goblins, jellybeans, toenails, wombats, bowling balls, ducks, potatoes, accordions, mittens, sardines

Funny verbs

An action word. Verbs that make a sound or a mess are the best.

wiggle, sneeze, yodel, gallop, waddle, slurp, tickle, juggle, burp, moonwalk, scream, hiccup, wobble, belly flop, smooch, sprint, howl, flutter, cartwheel, gargle, tiptoe, nibble, karate chop, skip

Verbs ending in -ing

The same, with -ing: wiggling, yodelling, slurping, juggling, moonwalking, hiccupping, belly flopping, gargling, waddling, tap dancing, breakdancing, sneezing, sobbing, honking

Verbs in the past tense

What already happened: sneezed, waddled, exploded, tripped, burped, galloped, tumbled, yodelled, slurped, fainted, giggled, squealed, belly flopped, moonwalked

Funny adjectives

A describing word. Mix textures, moods and sizes.

slimy, soggy, enormous, grumpy, sparkly, sticky, wobbly, fluffy, crunchy, smelly, squishy, ridiculous, majestic, crusty, moist, haunted, spicy, gooey, sassy, itty-bitty, lumpy, glittery, ferocious, bald, suspicious, tiny, bouncy, greasy, nervous, magnificent, frosty, fuzzy

Adverbs

How something is done. Most end in -ly.

loudly, sneakily, angrily, gracefully, awkwardly, dramatically, wildly, lazily, majestically, nervously, aggressively, politely, sloppily, bravely, suspiciously, gently, rudely, frantically, joyfully, sleepily

Exclamations and silly words

Something you'd shout.

Yikes! Holy guacamole! Great Scott! Bazinga! Oh snap! Cowabunga! Yowza! Jeepers! Fiddlesticks! Ka-boom! Oopsie daisy! Shazam! Gadzooks! Woohoo!

Specific word types

• Body parts: elbow, nostril, kneecap, belly button, eyebrow, armpit, pinky toe, earlobe
• Places: the dentist, a volcano, Antarctica, the bathroom, the moon, Grandma's attic, a bowling alley, the DMV
• Foods: spaghetti, pickled herring, a burrito, mashed potatoes, jelly, sushi, a whole turkey, cold pizza
• Animals: a llama, a platypus, a hamster, a sloth, a goose, a narwhal, an octopus, a chihuahua
• Colors: neon green, polka dot, plaid, beige, glow-in-the-dark, rainbow
• Numbers: seven, 42, a million, three and a half, 9,000, a dozen
• Occupations: dentist, pirate, astronaut, lunch lady, wizard, plumber, ballerina, lifeguard

Parts of speech: a quick guide

For kids, classrooms and anyone learning English, Mad Libs are one of the most fun ways to practice grammar.

• Noun: a person, place or thing. The cat sat on the mat.
• Verb: an action. The cat jumped.
• Adjective: describes a noun. The fluffy cat.
• Adverb: describes a verb, often ends in -ly. The cat jumped quickly.
• Exclamation (interjection): a word you shout. Wow!

A quick test: if you can put "the" in front of it, it's probably a noun. If you can put "to" in front of it, it's probably a verb. If it fits in "a very … thing", it's an adjective.

Mad Libs for ESL learners

Mad Libs are popular in ESL classes because they practice word types in context, and the funny results help new words stick. Start with specific prompts (Animal, Food, Color) before moving to Noun or Adjective, and let learners use the word lists on this page as a word bank. Our kids stories and school stories are a good fit because the language is simple.

Put your words to work

Pick a story and try some of these words, or play Mad Libs online with friends. New to the game? Start with what Mad Libs are and how to play.

The suspicious narwhal moonwalked into the library and shouted "Fiddlesticks!" at the librarian.

Mad Libs is a registered trademark of Penguin Random House LLC. Fun Libs is an independent game and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Mad Libs or Penguin Random House.