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19 Words You Never Realized Are the Same Backwards and Forwards

You'll never look at these words the same again.

Racecar is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Words Spelled the Same Forward and Backward

Racecar

Everyone has heard of the famous palindrome example of “racecar,” which is spelled the same forward and backward. But what if we told you we have 18 more words that you probably never realized are palindromes?

Civic is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Civic

As in relating to a city or a town.

Find out the reason there’s an “r” in Mrs.

Deified is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Deified

This basically means to treat or worship someone or something like a god.

Level is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Level

Whether this is used as a noun, adjective, or verb, it’s pretty self-explanatory.

Memorize the best Scrabble words for a competitive edge at your next game night.

Lemel is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Lemel

A lemel is a small shaving of metal like gold and silver. This term is typically used in jewelry stores.

Test your knowledge of these evocative adjectives.

Madam is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Madam

If you’re looking to address a woman respectfully, this is the word to use.

Brush up on your modern-day etiquette.

Minim is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Minim

A minim is the measurement used to describe about one drop of liquid.

Test your knowledge of these ocean words.

Murdrum is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Murdrum

Murdrum is the crime of killing somebody unknown. This act is very secretive.

Mom is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Mom

Mother, mommy, madre, mami, mama—you get the idea.

Noon is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Noon

As in the best part of the work/school day: lunchtime!

Radar is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Radar

Maybe you’re talking about electronics, maybe you’re talking about your sense of awareness. Regardless, palindromes are definitely on our radar right now.

Here’s why the plural of moose isn’t meese.

Refer is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Refer

If someone refers you to somebody else, you probably did a great job at something.

Repaper is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Repaper

Repapering is the act of applying new wallpaper.

Up for another vocabulary challenge? Test your Word Power on words containing “P” and “Q.”

Rotator is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Rotator

The word “rotator” speaks for itself. Its job is to rotate and/or to rotate something.

Put your knowledge of health lingo to the test with our medical trivia quiz.

Rotavator is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Rotavator

Gardeners should know what this piece of equipment is.

Can you pass this quiz of fourth grade spelling words?

Sagas is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Sagas

A saga is basically a fancy name for a long story.

Solos is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Solos

This is the plural of an act that is performed by one person.

Can you answer these real Jeopardy! questions about words?

Tenet is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Tenet

A tenet is a belief, principle, or opinion.

Having trouble deciphering a DM? Don’t miss our ultimate guide to text abbreviations.

Wow is a palindromePHOTO: TATIANA AYAZO/RD.COM

Wow

As in, “wow” that’s a lot of palindromes.

Now that you know 19 words spelled the same forward and backward, put your vocabulary to the test with our Word Power quiz.

Reader's Digest
Originally Published on Reader's Digest