Today's NYT Wordle lands with puzzle #1849, and this Sunday challenge brings a hard-hitting double-C opener with an uncommon -CK ending that rewards methodical play. Whether you're protecting a legendary streak or starting fresh, we've got the hints to guide you home.
The Basics (For New Players)
Wordle gives you six attempts to crack a five-letter word. After each guess, tiles change color: green means right letter, right spot; yellow signals right letter, wrong position; gray indicates the letter isn't in the word at all. One puzzle per day, shared by millions worldwide. That's the beauty of it.
Created by Josh Wardle in 2021 and now part of The New York Times Games family, Wordle has become a daily ritual for word lovers everywhere. Today's puzzle #1849 awaits.
The Letter Rundown
Today's puzzle breaks down like this:
Vowel Count: 1 vowel(s)
Consonant Count: 4 consonant(s)
Repeated Letters: Yes - the letter C appears twice
Letter Rarity: Contains the uncommon ending letter K and a double-C pattern
The Elimination Game (Progressive Hints)
We've designed these hints to reveal just enough at each level. Stop when you've got it figured out.
Level 1 (The Vibe): Think sharp, percussive sounds and objects meeting with force.
Level 2 (The Category): This word is both a noun and a verb. It describes a sound you'd hear in a workshop, a kitchen, or a train yard.
Level 3 (The Boundaries): Starts with C, ends with K.
Level 4 (The Structure): The vowel A sits in position 2. There's a double consonant at positions 1 and 3.
Level 5 (The Giveaway): The sharp, rattling sound two hard objects make when they hit each other.
Quick-Reference Clues
First Letter: C
Last Letter: K
Vowels Present: A
Double Letters: Yes
Rhymes With: BLACK, CRACK, TRACK
Today's Wordle Answer
Final warning: The answer is directly below. Scroll only if you're ready.
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The answer to Wordle #1849 is: CLACK
Word DNA: Breaking Down Today's Answer
CLACK is a noun and a verb. As a noun, it's a sharp, abrupt sound of hard objects striking one another. As a verb, it means to make or cause to make such a sound.
Origins: Onomatopoeic in origin, the word directly imitates the percussive sound it describes. First recorded in Middle English as "clakken," it has cognates in Old Norse "klaka" and Dutch "klakken," all built around the same sharp consonant cluster.
Word Family: clacked, clacking, clacker, clackety
Fun Fact: The double-C pattern in CLACK is a rarity in Wordle. Only about 2% of all Wordle answers feature a consonant doubled this way, making the puzzle a genuine test of whether you'll waste guesses on letters you've already confirmed.
The Streak Saver Rating
Difficulty: 3 / 5
Trap Factor: MEDIUM. The double C is the biggest trap, many players will burn guesses testing new consonants instead of placing the known C in a second position.
Average Solve: 3.5 guesses (estimate based on difficulty)
CLACK sits squarely in medium territory. The letters are all common enough, C, L, A, K, but the K at the end and the repeated C create a double hurdle. Players who lead with a strong vowel-heavy opener like ADIEU or AUDIO will find the A quickly but may stall on the consonant structure. The key is recognizing the -ACK pattern early, which collapses the possibilities fast.
What This Puzzle Teaches
Double letters are always worth a dedicated guess. If you've confirmed C in position 1 but haven't found the second C, words like CHUCK, CLICK, and CLOCK should be on your radar. Don't assume a yellow C means only one instance, Wordle loves to hide repeats.
The -ACK ending is one of the most productive letter patterns in English. Once you spot that A in position 2 and the K in position 5, run through the consonant possibilities: BLACK, CLACK, CRACK, SNACK, STACK, TRACK, WHACK. Pattern recognition beats brute force every time.
Tomorrow's Reset
Puzzle #1850 drops at midnight in your timezone. Did today's CLACK catch you off guard, or did you crack it in three? Either way, every Wordle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at midnight for the next challenge.
