cruciverbalist

American  

[kroo-suh-vur-buh-list] / ˌkru səˈvɜr bə lɪst /

noun

1. a designer or aficionado of crossword puzzles.

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cruciverbalist British  

/ ˌkruːsɪˈvɜːbəlɪst /

noun

1. a crossword puzzle enthusiast

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Etymology

Origin of cruciverbalist

First recorded in 1975–80; from Latin cruci- + verbalist; see origin at cross

Explanation

If you're a crossword puzzle enthusiast, you can call yourself a cruciverbalist, although the term is more often used for those who create those crossword puzzles that keep you enthralled. The word cruciverbalist looks pretty complicated, but when you break it down to its roots, it literally means "crossword person." It's a mock-Latin construction that combines cruci-, which comes from "crux," meaning "cross"; verbal, which comes from verbum, meaning "word"; and -ist, a suffix meaning "a person who does (something)." If you have a passion for wordplay and grid-building, you might consider a career as a cruciverbalist.

Example Sentences

There is no doubt that Evan Birnholz is a brilliant professional cruciverbalist, who deserves a more focused and sophisticated audience with respect to crossword puzzles.

From Washington Post • Sep. 9, 2022

If doing the Saturday crossword in pen seems like a magic trick, prepare yourself for David Kwong, a conjurer and a cruciverbalist.

From New York Times • Oct. 31, 2019

Mrs. Gordon was The Times’s oldest cruciverbalist, as those who ply her trade are known, and its longest-serving.

From New York Times • Jan. 30, 2015

Words like "discombobulated", "piccolo" and "cruciverbalist" would no doubt have proved popular.

From The Guardian • May 28, 2010