NWL2020

The NASPA Word List 2020 Edition (NWL2020) is the second word list developed and edited by NASPA, and the official lexicon governing competitive play in the United States and Canada beginning January 6, 2021. It replaces NWL2018.

Where to Get It

For licensing reasons, this book is a members-only publication, available only through the NASPA Store.

Print Edition

While supplies last of OTCWL2016, they will ship with a booklet detailing the differences between the NWL word lists - 2018 and 2020. That booklet will also be available separately.

Electronic Editions

NASPA members may download the word list and related files through Member Services in the following formats.

NWL2018 (text)

All words found in the NASPA Word List (2018 edition), in a text file, final version dated 2020-10-15

Developer Access

NASPA members who offer free software to our community are welcome to include NWL2020 in their products with appropriate credit and links, and should contact us for details.

Commercial developers are invited to contact us to discuss licensing terms.

Effective Date

The Advisory Board has determined that this edition will take effect on January 6, 2021.

History

In early July 2020, the Executive Committee announced that all offensive slurs will be removed from the NASPA Word List to align with changes to the SCRABBLE rules planned by Hasbro.

The Dictionary Committeereviewed the NASPA Word list as outlined in a report published September 30, 2020.

Changes

This edition deletes 259 words identified as offensive slurs:

• 155 words and inflections that were found to be offensive and personally applicable in not just one but all senses
• 104 words and inflections that were found to be offensive in at least one dictionary and personally applicable in at least one sense, but not offensive and personally applicable in all senses

A complete list of deleted words is available for our adult members in Member Services.