How to Solve an Anagram

Consider these tips for tackling anagrams.

Rearrange the letters. The simplest approach to finding new words, rearranging the initial word or jumble of letters can be an easy way to change your perspective and reveal hidden combinations.

Look for common consonant sounds. Consonants, or letters that aren’t vowels, can provide the framework for several words. For example, find common letter pairings like “th,” “st,” and “sh” and build out from there with the remaining letters and vowels.

Isolate the vowels. Similar to identifying common consonant sounds, isolate the vowels and find common pairings like “ou,” “ie,” “ay,” and “ea.” From there, you can build out words with the remaining letters or combine them with the consonant sounds you identified.

Expand your vocabulary. To excel at anagrams, you must have a large vocabulary and experience with wordplay. Doing crossword puzzles and playing board games like Scrabble, newspaper puzzles like Jumble, and digital apps like Words With Friends can help you build anagram-related skills and expand your vocabulary.

Create your own anagrams. You can also practice creating your own anagrams. Start with short words and work your way up to longer words and phrases with more complicated combinations. This will come in handy as you solve anagrams created by anagram generators.

Maybe you have given up?

Use an automated anagram solver. The Internet features free and paid word un-scramblers that can do the heavy lifting for you. Use these products when you quickly need to untangle an anagram but haven't yet built up your own skill.