Today's NYT Strands is live for Friday, July 31, 2026 (Puzzle #880). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "Summer sign"
What It Really Means
You are hunting personality adjectives traditionally associated with the astrological sign hinted at by the prompt.
Think About...
- How someone carries themselves in a crowd.
- The way they take charge around other people.
- How freely and steadfastly they treat their inner circle.
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Left to right across the board
Letter Count: 10 letters
Starting Zone: Row 1, letter 1
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think of the creature used to represent the midsummer symbol behind these personality traits.
Hint 2 (Warmer): The full phrase joins the sign's short name to the animal that represents it.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is L, last letter is N
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LEOTHELION
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Unafraid to stand out or take a risk.
Closer: Think vivid choices, fearless confidence, or a heavy typeface weight.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 4 letters total
Answer
BOLD
Word 2
Vague: Inclined to tell everyone else what to do.
Closer: This describes someone who keeps ordering people around.
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 5 letters total
Answer
BOSSY
Word 3
Vague: Effortlessly winning people over.
Closer: A person with easy appeal and a captivating manner fits this description.
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 8 letters total
Answer
CHARMING
Word 4
Vague: Full of flair and heightened emotion.
Closer: Think theatrical reactions, sweeping gestures, and emotions turned up high.
Letter Clue: Starts with D, 8 letters total
Answer
DRAMATIC
Word 5
Vague: Ready to give more than expected.
Closer: Large portions, openhanded gifts, and freely shared time all point here.
Letter Clue: Starts with G, 8 letters total
Answer
GENEROUS
Word 6
Vague: Steady in allegiance through good times and bad.
Closer: This is the friend who stays firmly on your side.
Letter Clue: Starts with L, 5 letters total
Answer
LOYAL
Full Answers
Spangram: LEOTHELION
Theme Words:
- BOLD
- BOSSY
- CHARMING
- DRAMATIC
- GENEROUS
- LOYAL
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Medium, once the astrological reading clicks, the adjectives cohere, but the spangram's full phrasing and one less-flattering trait can slow the finish.
Trickiest Word: BOSSY is the likeliest word to stall solvers because its critical edge contrasts with the warmer traits surrounding it.
Our Take: LEOTHELION makes the prompt literal, while BOLD, BOSSY, CHARMING, DRAMATIC, GENEROUS, and LOYAL turn it into a personality portrait. The mix of flattering and prickly traits gives the set texture and makes the central phrase feel earned.
