Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.
Want more word-based fun? Then check out my Wordle today, NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
NYT Strands today (game #238) - hint #1 - today's theme
What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?
• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Best of the best
NYT Strands today (game #238) - hint #2 - clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
- FILE
- HIDE
- REAR
- CLASP
- PART
- PROP
NYT Strands today (game #238) - hint #3 - spangram
What is a hint for today's spangram?
• __ of the __
NYT Strands today (game #238) - hint #4 - spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?
First: left, 5th row
Last: right, 3rd row
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #238) - the answers
The answers to today's Strands, game #238, are…
- CLASS
- PARTY
- LITTER
- LIFE
- CREAM
- CROP
- HEAD
- PICK
- SPANGRAM: PERFECTPAIR
- My rating: Hard
- My score: Perfect
Wow, this was far harder than the average Strands puzzle. And far more conceptual than many of the most recent games, which have essentially been related words about a topic you may or may not have had experience with. In contrast, this is all about language, really – all eight words are of the format __ of the __, for instance CREAM of the CROP or LIFE of the PARTY, with the first being the 'best' example of the second.
I had no idea what was going on for roughly half of the game, uncovering words at regular intervals but failing to spot any kind of connection between them – or between them and the theme clue of 'Best of the best'. It was only when I found LIFE that it started to make sense. I already had PARTY, and those two words obviously went together. When I found CREAM and then CROP in quick succession it was clear what I needed to do, and I was able to come up with the remaining words without any issues after that. But it's a challenging one, for sure.
How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, 26 October, game #237)
- ARIA
- BALLAD
- SHANTY
- JINGLE
- LULLABY
- SPIRITUAL
- SPANGRAM: VOCALMUSIC
What is NYT Strands?
Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.