Do you have Shakespeare-like Vocabulary to Decode this Word-Play Brain Teaser in 11 Seconds?

Sep 2, 2025, 08:41 IST

Test your brain power with a word-play brain teaser that challenges your vocabulary and problem-solving skills. Unlike typical puzzles, this riddle plays with meanings, spellings, and associations to encourage out-of-the-box thinking. It might seem simple at first, but the clever design leads to a surprising yet satisfying solution. Engage your logic and creativity to find patterns and improve your language skills, quick thinking, or simply enjoy a fun mental workout. Can you unravel this intriguing word riddle?

Brain Teaser
Brain Teaser

Brain teaser word power riddles are a great way to challenge your vocabulary and problem-solving abilities! Word riddles aren't like normal puzzles; they're a way of playing with meanings, spellings, and associations which encourage you to think differently. Many word riddles appear simple at first. 

The trick is that a word riddle is designed to be clever, which allows a solution to be surprising, but satisfying. A classic example of a riddle is asking you to find a word that becomes a different word after removing letters, or adding letters or rearranging letters. Others may be puns, double meanings, or they may be everyday phrases with a twist.

The reason you can find word riddles engaging is they require balance between logic and creativity. You must find patterns, while still reflecting. They are an excellent way to improve language skills, improve quick thinking, or have fun with a light work out, whenever you choose!

Check Out: Only the Top 5% Can Solve This Tricky Brain Teaser Riddle! Can You Figure It Out?

Solve this Word-Play Brain Teaser in 11 Seconds

What is 5-letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?

Do you want some help to find the answer? Here are two strong hints to point you in the right direction:

Hint 1: It is a 5-letter word that describes time as well as clothing.

Hint 2: If you add two letters to the word, it actually becomes "smaller" in meaning, although it is longer in spelling.

COUNTOWN has begun!

3... 2... 1...

Time’s up! Did you guess the answer correctly? 

Answer: Solve this Word-Play Brain Teaser in 11 Seconds

Answer: SHORT.
(Adding “ER” makes it “SHORTER.”)

The riddle says, “What 5-letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?” At first, it seems to be confusing because, logically, if you are adding letters, then a word should become longer, not shorter. 

The trick is in the word-play. The answer is SHORT. “Short” is a 5-letter word. If you add the letters E and R to the end of it, it becomes SHORTER.

 So rather than meaning its length in letters, the riddle is using the word "short." When you add "-er," it becomes "shorter." 

This makes semantic sense, even if the word is longer spelled out. The clever play on words is what makes the riddle fun and satisfying!


Ayukta Zisha
Ayukta Zisha

Content Writer

    Ayukta Zisha is a Content Writer and Published Author with a Master’s degree in English Literature. She also holds a certification in Digital Marketing from IIT Delhi. Deeply passionate about art, aesthetics, and literature, Ayukta brings a unique creative flair to her writing. A dedicated bibliophile, she continues to explore and share her love for words through engaging and insightful content. You can reach out to her at ayukta.zisha@jagrannewmedia.com

    ... Read More

    Get here current GK and GK quiz questions in English and Hindi for India, World, Sports and Competitive exam preparation. Download the Jagran Josh Current Affairs App.

    Trending

    Latest Education News