Today's NYT Strands is live for Thurssday, March 19, 2026 (Puzzle #746). 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: "Bring a plate"
What It Really Means
This theme refers to a communal meal where everyone contributes a dish. You're looking for food and drink items people might bring to share.
Think About...
- Common dishes served at group gatherings
- Food categories like starters, mains, sides, and desserts
- What you'd find on a buffet table at a party
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Diagonally down then diagonally up
Letter Count: 7 letters
Starting Zone: First letter of the fourth row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): A communal meal where everyone contributes a dish
Hint 2 (Warmer): The type of gathering where you'd "bring a plate"
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is P, last letter is K
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POTLUCK
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Healthy side dishes
Closer: Colorful plant-based foods
Letter Clue: Starts with V, 7 letters total
Answer
VEGGIES
Word 2
Vague: A baked dish
Closer: Often served in a deep dish, can be savory or sweet
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 9 letters total
Answer
CASSEROLE
Word 3
Vague: Sweet course
Closer: What comes after the main meal
Letter Clue: Starts with D, 7 letters total
Answer
DESSERT
Word 4
Vague: Something to drink
Closer: Liquid refreshment for the meal
Letter Clue: Starts with B, 8 letters total
Answer
BEVERAGE
Word 5
Vague: Starters before the main meal
Closer: Small bites served before dinner
Letter Clue: Starts with A, 10 letters total
Answer
APPETIZERS
Full Answers
Spangram: POTLUCK
Theme Words:
- VEGGIES
- CASSEROLE
- DESSERT
- BEVERAGE
- APPETIZERS
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Trickiest Word: CASSEROLE (9 letters with double letters can be challenging to spot)
Our Take: A straightforward food-themed puzzle that's perfect for beginners. The "bring a plate" theme clearly points to potluck dishes, making the spangram easy to deduce. All words follow logical food categories, though CASSEROLE's length might require some grid navigation.
