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cruciverbalist

/ˌkrusəˈvɜrbəlɪst/
IPA guide

Other forms: cruciverbalists

If you're a crossword puzzle enthusiast, you can call yourself a cruciverbalist, although the term is more often used for those who create those crossword puzzles that keep you enthralled.

The word cruciverbalist looks pretty complicated, but when you break it down to its roots, it literally means "crossword person." It's a mock-Latin construction that combines cruci-, which comes from "crux," meaning "cross"; verbal, which comes from verbum, meaning "word"; and -ist, a suffix meaning "a person who does (something)." If you have a passion for wordplay and grid-building, you might consider a career as a cruciverbalist.

Definitions of cruciverbalist
  1. noun
    someone who is good at or enjoys making or solving crossword puzzles
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