rebus

A rebus is a puzzle that encodes words or phrases using visual cues—pictures, symbols, letters, or their arrangements—that represent sounds or meanings rather than the words themselves. Solving a rebus involves interpreting the cues to recover the intended phrase.

The term rebus derives from Latin res, meaning "thing," and began to describe picture-based wordplay in early modern Europe. Rebus devices appear in medieval manuscripts, heraldry, and decorative inscriptions, and the form gained popularity in puzzle books and magazines from the 18th century onward.

Rebuses vary in form. Pure pictorial rebuses rely on images alone; phonetic or letter-based rebuses use letters, numbers, or symbols to suggest sounds or syllables; mixed forms combine pictures with letters. Common examples include eye + heart + U meaning "I love you," sun + day for "Sunday," and bee + leaf for "belief."

Today rebus puzzles appear in newspapers, magazines, educational materials, greeting cards, digital games, and advertising. They are used for entertainment as well as to teach phonics and word formation, particularly to children learning to read.

Interpreting a rebus can depend on cultural context and language, which can lead to alternative solutions or ambiguity. Some rebuses rely on brand names, local symbols, or homophones, limiting cross-cultural portability.