On Wordplay, two contestants playing in turn, chose one word from nine possibilites on a game board (examples: fantasia, turgid, avuncular, cudgel, hoodoo, germane). Each of the three guest celebrities gave a definition. The player tried to choose the correct definition and if successful won a cash amount (this varied) associated with the word. The player with the most money after six words were played, won the game.
In the bonus round (called "Speedword") on the first show only, the day's champion tried to go from one side of the game board to the other by guessing words from two definitions associated with that word in forty-five seconds. The player earned $100 for each word correctly guessed or a bonus that started off at $5,000 and was increased by $2,500 each time it was not won. Players could stay on for a maximum of three days.
In 2017, Buzzr re-aired the pilot and first three episodes of the series.
