Regarding whether a clue can be two words, the official rules state that your clue must be only one word. While English contains various compound forms, technically only one-word compounds such as 'greenhouse' are valid. Two-word compounds like 'pack rat' or hyphenated words like 'mother-in-law' are considered invalid unless the opposing spymaster allows them. However, groups can agree to allow common abbreviations (like CIA or NASA) or specific proper names (like New York) to count as one-word clues.
Example Play Situation
Alice is the spymaster and Bob is a field operative. Alice wants to use 'alarm clock' for the words 'TIME' and 'WAKE', but since it is two words, the opposing team objects. Alice instead decides to use a valid one-word clue or asks the opponents for permission to use the compound.
House Rules
[HOUSE RULE] Many groups choose to be more liberal by allowing all compound words, such as 'alarm clock', or allowing multi-word proper names and titles.
Common Misconceptions
All compound words are valid clues
Two-word phrases are allowed by default
Spymasters can invent their own compound words
Quick Reference
You Can
You Cannot
Use one-word compounds like greenhouse
Use two-word clues like pack rat without permission
Use proper names if your group agrees
Invent new compound words that do not exist
Use common abbreviations if your group agrees
Use hyphenated words unless allowed by opponents
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official rule for one-word clues in Codenames?
Clues must be one word, meaning only one-word compounds like greenhouse are strictly valid.
Can I use a two-word clue like 'pack rat'?
No, unless the opposing spymaster agrees to allow it as a house rule.
Are abbreviations like CIA allowed?
Yes, your group can decide to allow common abbreviations as one-word clues.
Is 'New York' considered one word?
Your group can agree to count proper names like New York as one word.
David Noah is a board game rules specialist and content creator who writes clear, dispute‑free guides for modern tabletop games. On this site, he focuses on answering the exact rules questions players argue about at the table, using official rulebooks, expansions, and tournament rulings as his primary sources. His goal is to turn confusing edge cases into simple, step‑by‑step explanations so you can spend less time debating and more time playing.
