Today's NYT Strands is live for Sunday, January 11, 2026 (Puzzle #679). 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: "Yay!!!"
What It Really Means
Today's theme is all about expressions of joy, excitement, and celebration. You're looking for words people shout when they're happy or excited about something.
Think About...
- Words you'd shout at a party or celebration
- Exclamations of happiness or triumph
- Casual expressions of excitement
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Top to Bottom
Letter Count: 9 letters
Starting Zone: First row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): This phrase expresses enthusiastic approval or excitement about something.
Hint 2 (Warmer): It's a common two-word phrase that combines "that" with a positive adjective.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is T, last letter is T
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THATSGREAT
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A classic cheer of celebration
Closer: Often shouted with arms raised in the air
Letter Clue: Starts with H, 6 letters total
Answer
HOORAY
Word 2
Vague: An old-fashioned expression of joy
Closer: Sounds like something from a Renaissance fair
Letter Clue: Starts with H, 6 letters total
Answer
HUZZAH
Word 3
Vague: An excited shout, often from a child
Closer: Associated with cowboys or rodeos
Letter Clue: Starts with Y, 6 letters total
Answer
YIPPEE
Word 4
Vague: A playful expression of excitement
Closer: Often used with "cushion" in a different context
Letter Clue: Starts with W, 7 letters total
Answer
WHOOPEE
Word 5
Vague: A modern, energetic cheer
Closer: Popular in sports celebrations
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 6 letters total
Answer
BOOYAH
Word 6
Vague: A general term for something impressive
Closer: The 90s slang version of "great"
Letter Clue: Starts with A, 7 letters total
Answer
AWESOME
Full Answers
Spangram: THATSGREAT
Theme Words:
- HOORAY
- HUZZAH
- YIPPEE
- WHOOPEE
- BOOYAH
- AWESOME
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: HUZZAH (Less common in modern usage, might not be everyone's first thought for an exclamation of joy)
Our Take: A straightforward celebration theme with familiar exclamations. The spangram cleverly combines two common words into a single enthusiastic phrase. This puzzle serves as a cheerful start to the week with universally recognizable expressions of joy.
