Language · 1
What is the term for a word that is spelled the same forwards and backwards?
Answer
Palindrome
A palindrome is a word, phrase, sequence of numbers, or other character arrangement that reads identically forwards and backwards. Single-word palindromes include RADAR (5 letters), LEVEL (5 letters), KAYAK (5 letters), and CIVIC (5 letters). Palindromic phrases ignore spaces and punctuation, such as 'A man, a plan, a canal: Panama.' The term 'palindrome' comes from the Greek words 'palin' (back/again) and 'dromos' (running/direction), literally meaning 'running back again.' Palindromes are popular in wordplay puzzles, coding challenges, and linguistic curiosity because they require letters or numbers to create symmetrical patterns.
💡 Did you know?
'Madam, I'm Adam' is a famous palindromic phrase that reads the same forwards and backwards when spaces are removed.
Other options people guess
- Anagram
- Homophone
- Acronym
Topics
- wordplay
- palindromes
- English
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