Merriam-Webster, the dictionary company behind the famous online dictionary, has bought Quordle, the Wordle clone. The terms of the deal are not being disclosed, but the acquisition has been done quietly, and the Quordle website now redirects to its own section on the Merriam-Webster site.
Quordle creator Freddie Meyer announced the news at the top of the game’s tutorial page: “I’m thrilled to announce that Merriam-Webster has acquired Quordle! I couldn’t think of a better home for this game. Lots of new features and fun to come. Stay tuned!” The acquisition means new things for the game as Merriam-Webster looks to improve and expand the word game.
Quordle Acquired by Merriam-Webster: Wordle’s Success Continues to Inspire
Wordle’s Rise and Impact
Wordle, a simple web-based word game, went viral in late 2021 and became a global phenomenon. The game, created by software engineer Josh Wardle, asks you to guess a five-letter word in six attempts. You get color-coded feedback on your guesses, telling you which letters are correct and if they’re in the right spot. Wordle’s simplicity and daily puzzle format hooked millions and became a daily habit for many.
Since Wordle’s popularity, the New York Times bought the game for seven figures in January 2022. In the months that followed, Wordle added millions of new subscribers to the NYT Games section. The media company integrated Wordle into its crossword app and turned the game into a physical board game, highlighting its cultural and technological impact.
Wordle-Inspired Games
Wordle’s success spawned several spin-offs and clones that built on the concept, with developers adding their own twists to the formula. One such game, Heardle, which is about guessing songs instead of words, was acquired by Spotify in 2023. These acquisitions show Wordle’s lasting impact on both the tech and entertainment industries, inspiring many developers and companies to build on the basic idea.
Quordle is another one of these Wordle-inspired games. Created soon after Wordle went viral, Quordle adds an extra layer of complexity by asking you to guess four five-letter words at once. You have nine attempts to solve all four puzzles, and each guess applies to all four words. As with Wordle, color-coded tiles tell you which letters are correct and if they’re in the right spot. This increased difficulty has made Quordle a favorite among users looking for a harder version of the original game. It’s often described as a much harder version of Wordle because you have to guess four words in nine attempts.
Quordle’s Niche and Future
Quordle has found an audience among users looking for a harder version of Wordle. Its four-word format offers more complexity while keeping the puzzle-solving fun of the original. By adding Quordle to its portfolio, Merriam-Webster is continuing to expand beyond its core dictionary business and tap into the growing word game trend.
As part of Merriam-Webster, Quordle will likely see continued development and new features to improve the user experience. With the resources of a major digital brand behind it, Quordle could add new modes, more word lists, and integration with other Merriam-Webster products like educational tools and word resources.
Wordle’s Legacy in Gaming and Culture
The acquisition of Quordle by Merriam-Webster and Wordle by The New York Times earlier showed the long-lasting impact of these word games on the tech and entertainment industries. What started as a simple web-based puzzle game has spawned an entire sub-genre of daily puzzle games. As companies like Merriam-Webster and The New York Times continue to invest in these games, it’s clear their impact will be felt for years to come.
As digital literacy and language-based entertainment grow, the popularity of word games like Quordle and Wordle reminds us that simple yet fun ideas can reach millions and even drive business strategy.
Quordle’s Next Chapter: From Passion Project to Merriam-Webster
Quordle, a word game that emerged soon after Wordle went viral, has found a new home with Merriam-Webster. With its roots as a creator’s side project, Quordle’s journey reflects the fast-changing world of digital gaming and language learning. Here’s the full story of how this simple, addictive word game went from a hobby to a part of Merriam-Webster’s product line.
Quick Success
Quordle launched just a month after the New York Times acquired Wordle in 2022 and made a big splash in the online word game space. It gained 1 million users in two months. Like Wordle Quordle started as a passion project—Meyer had no plans to monetize it. Instead, the game grew organically and offered users a harder version of Wordle by asking them to solve four words at once.
Meyer didn’t plan to monetize the game at first, but adding subtle ads to the site covered hosting costs without asking users to donate. This low-key approach to running the site allowed Quordle to build a loyal following and solidify its place in the word game genre.
Merriam-Webster: Beyond the Dictionary
Fast-forward to today, Quordle has joined forces with a brand that is all about language: Merriam-Webster. For nearly 200 years, Merriam-Webster has been a trusted name in dictionaries and language reference tools. In the 1990s, the company made a big move into the digital age by launching its first website in 1996. Since then, Merriam-Webster has grown far beyond its core dictionary business and expanded its digital presence with products like apps for kids, thesaurus tools, and language-based games.
One of its many products is the Merriam-Webster Games & Quizzes portal, where word lovers can test their vocabulary and skills. That’s where Quordle will live alongside other games that entertain millions of users.
A Smart Move
The acquisition of Quordle is a natural fit for Merriam-Webster. The game’s popularity and language focus align perfectly with Merriam-Webster’s mission to provide fun and educational language tools for all ages. According to Merriam-Webster President Greg Barlow, “We’re thrilled to announce that Merriam-Webster has acquired Quordle, the super popular word game and favorite among our editors. Quordle will be a great addition to our games and quizzes, and we can’t wait to play with millions of fans every day.”
This move shows Merriam-Webster’s commitment to staying relevant in the digital age. By embracing word games like Quordle, the company ensures it stays connected to new generations of word lovers who want to play with words as much as they want to learn them.
What’s Next for Quordle?
As Quordle joins the Merriam-Webster family, fans can expect the same daily challenges they love but with the added resources and reach of a global brand behind it. The game will likely see more integration with Merriam-Webster’s existing language tools and maybe even new formats or variations to engage the growing fanbase. With millions of users already hooked, Quordle’s future looks bright as it will continue to entertain, frustrate, and educate players worldwide.
From passion projects to Merriam-Webster property, Quordle shows that simplicity is powerful in the digital age. What started as a Wordle hack has become a staple of the word game world, and now, with Merriam-Webster behind it, Quordle will be even more influential in the language and entertainment space.
