Cryptic Word searches combines the cleverness of a cryptic crossword puzzle with the simplicity of a word search.

In a normal word search, you're given a list of words and then circle them in a grid.

In a cryptic word search, you are given a series of clues, like crossword puzzle clues only constructed differently. Each cryptic crossword clue has two parts to it: wordplay and a definition.

For example,

Wolf returns to emergency room with a rose (6)

In this example, we're looking for a six letter word "(6)". The definition in this case is "a rose" and the wordplay is to take the word "wolf", turn it around and put the abbreviation for emergency room after it, giving you "flower".

Cryptic Word Searches contains forty different themed puzzles. Each puzzle's title, again presented as a cryptic clue, helps you discover the theme to the puzzle. We've also put in a few different variations to keep you on your toes.