Illustrated Illinois scene — AI-generated artwork behind this US state's word search puzzle
Illinois, as a word search. 12 words drawn from state symbols, landmarks, food, and famous cities sit hidden in a 15×15 letter grid, running in every direction. Drag across a word to claim it, and clear the board to finish.
Words to find: CHICAGO, SPRINGFIELD, ROCKFORD, PEORIA, AURORA, NAPERVILLE, CARDINAL, VIOLET, WHITEOAK, DEER, MONARCH, TULLYMONSTER.
Diagonals are where most players stall. Once you are down to the last word or two, sweep the diagonals deliberately.
Illinois word list, defined
AURORA/əˈrɔːrə/ · noun
A natural light display in the sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions, caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with the upper atmosphere. Also, in Roman mythology, the goddess of dawn. Related: northern lights, southern lights, polar lights.
CARDINAL/ˈkɑːrdɪnəl/ · noun, adjective
A cardinal is a high-ranking official of the Roman Catholic Church appointed by the Pope, or a North American songbird with brilliant red plumage and a pointed crest. As an adjective, it describes something of the greatest importance or serving as a basis on which other things depend. Related: prelate, primate, songbird, redbird.
VIOLET/vɪˈoʊlət/ · noun
A purple flower, often used as a dye or in perfumes. A deep purple color. Related: purple, lilac, magenta, fuchsia.
DEER/dɪər/ · noun
A hoofed grazing or browsing mammal of the family Cervidae, the males of which typically have and annually shed antlers. Related: buck, doe, stag, hind.
MONARCH/ˈmɒnɑːrʃ/ · noun
A sovereign ruler of a kingdom or empire, especially one who rules for life. A butterfly of the family Nymphalidae, typically with distinctive markings and a long, narrow body. Related: king, queen, ruler, sovereign.