diff --git a/lib/verbal_expressions.rb b/lib/verbal_expressions.rb
index 0fd4882..3b111d8 100644
--- a/lib/verbal_expressions.rb
+++ b/lib/verbal_expressions.rb
@@ -71,9 +71,14 @@ def tab
     add('\t')
   end
 
-  # Any alphanumeric
+  # Any single alphanumeric
+  def letter
+    add('\w')
+  end
+
+  # Any word (multiple alphanumerics)
   def word
-    add('\w+')
+    one_or_more { letter }
   end
 
   # Any single digit