Today's NYT Strands is live for Sunday, February 1, 2026 (Puzzle #700). 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: "It's a gift"
What It Really Means
You're looking for words related to giving, receiving, or things given freely - anything that represents generosity or presents.
Think About...
- Items you'd give or receive on special occasions
- Forms of financial or material giving
- Synonyms for gifts, presents, or awards
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Vertical
Letter Count: 10 letters
Starting Zone: Third letter of the first row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): The core concept behind giving without expecting anything in return
Hint 2 (Warmer): A quality often associated with charitable acts and kindness
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is G, last letter is Y
---
---
---
---
---
GENEROSITY
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Something extra given beyond what's expected
Closer: Often found in paychecks or as a reward for good performance
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 5 letters total
Answer
BONUS
Word 2
Vague: To give or allow something formally
Closer: Often used in academic or financial contexts for funding
Letter Clue: Starts with G, 5 letters total
Answer
GRANT
Word 3
Vague: What you might receive on your birthday
Closer: Another word for gift, also means current time
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 7 letters total
Answer
PRESENT
Word 4
Vague: A charitable contribution
Closer: Money or goods given to a cause or organization
Letter Clue: Starts with D, 8 letters total
Answer
DONATION
Word 5
Vague: Recognition for achievement
Closer: Given for winning a competition or excelling
Letter Clue: Starts with A, 5 letters total
Answer
AWARD
Word 6
Vague: Something presented or given
Closer: Often used in religious or ceremonial contexts
Letter Clue: Starts with O, 8 letters total
Answer
OFFERING
Full Answers
Spangram: GENEROSITY
Theme Words:
- BONUS
- GRANT
- PRESENT
- DONATION
- AWARD
- OFFERING
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: OFFERING (The religious/ceremonial connotation might not be the first association for "gift")
Our Take: A straightforward theme with clear connections to generosity and giving. The spangram GENEROSITY perfectly captures the essence, while the theme words cover various forms of gifts from financial (BONUS, GRANT) to ceremonial (OFFERING). The puzzle flows well once you lock into the giving mindset.
