Rebus Puzzles

Rebus puzzles seem to come in two different types. The first type uses pictures as well as small parts of words that combine into a longer phrase. This is more of a traditional rebus:

traditional rebus

Another sort, and the kind that we have a few pages here for you to print out, use almost exclusively words and will typically symbolize some popular idiom. These sort of rebus puzzles can get you thinking in new ways, and we all need a change of thought from time to time, don't we?


Rebus Strategies

Here are a few things to look for when solving this type of puzzle:

1. Word position. If a word is over or under another word, or if one word is within another word, then that probably has something to do with the solution.

rebus example 1

2. Color. If a word is a different color than the others (or even just a different color from black) that might be a clue.

rebus example 2

3. Size. If the word is unusually large or small.

rebus example 3

4. Quantity. If a word or letter is repeated, then there is a probably a number involved in the solution.

rebus example 4


Worksheets

Ready to try out your new found Rebus wisdom? Here are a couple of pages of rebus puzzles that you can print out and ponder (solutions included if you just can't figure them out). Share it with friends and family for even more enjoyment!

Please note that native English speakers, especially Americans, will have an unfair advantage because these are based mostly on American idioms and expressions.