D&D Jargon Explained: A Beginner’s Glossary

When I first started watching videos and reading on how to play Dungeons & Dragons, it felt like I was back in high school learning a foreign language for the first time. “Roll for initiative.” “Make a saving throw.” “As a bonus action, I cast a cantrip!” Admittedly, that last one sounds like a weird magic vegetable and with so much information available online, it’s hard to discern where to start.

So if you’re new to D&D, don’t worry—you’re not alone and I’m on this journey with you. The good news is that learning the lingo is easier than it looks, and once you pick up the basics, the game flows much more smoothly. To help you get started, here’s a glossary of the most common D&D terms explained in simple, beginner-friendly language.

(Downloadable quick-reference guide at the end!)

🎲 Core Gameplay Terms

DM (Dungeon Master) – The person running the game. They describe the world, control the monsters and NPCs, and guide the story. Sometimes called a GM (Game Master).

PC (Player Character) – The character you control in the game. You decide their actions, personality, and choices.

NPC (Non-Player Character) – Characters controlled by the DM—like shopkeepers, villagers, or monsters.

Campaign – A long-running D&D story that can last weeks, months, or even years.

One-Shot – A single-session adventure designed to be completed in one sitting.

Roll – When you roll dice to determine what happens. Example: you roll a die to see if your character successfully climbs a wall.

A basic printed character sheet.

🧝 Character Terms

Race – The fantasy species your character belongs to (human, elf, dwarf, etc.).

Class – Your character’s role or specialty, like wizard, fighter, or rogue.

HP (Hit Points) – Your character’s health. If it drops to 0, you’re knocked out (or worse).

AC (Armor Class) – A number that shows how hard it is to hit you. Higher AC means better defense.

Stats / Ability Scores – The six core numbers that describe your character: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma.

⚔️ Common Table Phrases

Critical Hit (“Nat 20”) – Rolling a natural 20 on a 20-sided die. Usually means maximum success or extra damage in combat.

Critical Fail (“Nat 1”) – Rolling a natural 1 on a 20-sided die. Usually means total failure—sometimes with hilarious results.

Dirty 20 - It’s not grimy, rather it’s way of saying you rolled a total of 20 with modifiers (not a natural 20). Still a strong success, but not a critical. (Example = You rolled an 18 but you have a +2 on a Dexterity roll = 20)

Saving Throw – A special roll to avoid danger (like dodging a trap or resisting poison).

Initiative – Determines who goes first in combat (also known as turn order). Everyone rolls at the start of battle.

Metagaming – When players use knowledge their characters wouldn’t know (like remembering monster stats from a book instead of discovering them in-game).

🧭 Why Jargon Matters

At first, the words might feel overwhelming, but soon they’ll become second nature. When in doubt, it’s easier to remember that a higher roll/number is almost always a preferred outcome.

The best part? You don’t need to memorize everything at once. Keep this glossary nearby, and you’ll pick up the terms naturally as you play.

✅ Final Thoughts

D&D is about storytelling, imagination, and having fun—not perfect rules knowledge. If you’re brand new like me, focus on enjoying the adventure and roll with whatever comes your way. The jargon will follow.

So grab your dice, pick your character, and start your journey. And when someone says, “Roll for initiative,” you’ll know exactly what to do.

-> Found this article helpful? Download the quick reference guide here! D&D Jargon Cheat Sheet.pdf

If you’re ready for a larger deep dive, grab a copy of the most current player guide here.