parlor game

noun

1. any game usually played indoors, especially in the living room or parlor, as a word game or a quiz, requiring little or no physical activity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of parlor game¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Playing a parlor game, he drew a card that asked, “Do you think you have an artistic temperament?”

From Los Angeles Times

A parlor game among attendees was comparing the scores generated by their Oura Ring health trackers, which were generally low given back-to-back meetings during the day and partying well into the night.

From New York Times

Sheets said, referring to the parlor game where players create elaborate chains of actors who have appeared together on screen.

From Seattle Times

“Our democracy is on the line. … And I frankly, in my head, do not have time for parlor games, when we have a president who is running for reelection. That’s it.”

From Washington Times

“The macabre, like the spiritual smudges and tarot, all those Victorian parlor games are definitely coming back into fashion,” she says.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• board game