Today's NYT Wordle lands with puzzle #1688, and this Sunday challenge delivers a deceptively simple adjective that could trap players with its common letters but uncommon ending. 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 #1688 awaits.
The Letter Rundown
Today's puzzle breaks down like this:
Vowel Count: 1 vowel(s)
Consonant Count: 4 consonant(s)
Repeated Letters: No
Letter Rarity: All common letters, though Y functions as a vowel substitute
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 prickly defenses in nature.
Level 2 (The Category): This word is an adjective. It describes something with sharp projections.
Level 3 (The Boundaries): Starts with S, ends with Y.
Level 4 (The Structure): The vowel sits in position 3.
Level 5 (The Giveaway): Covered with sharp, pointed structures for protection.
Quick-Reference Clues
First Letter: S
Last Letter: Y
Vowels Present: I
Double Letters: NO
Rhymes With: WINY, TINY, VINY
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 #1688 is: SPINY
Word DNA: Breaking Down Today's Answer
SPINY adjective. Covered with or having spines; thorny or prickly.
Origins: From Middle English "spini," from Old English "spiniġ," related to "spine" meaning thorn or backbone.
Word Family: spine, spines, spinier, spiniest, spininess
Fun Fact: The word appears in biological contexts for animals like spiny anteaters (echidnas) and plants like spiny shrubs, making it a favorite in nature-themed puzzles.
The Streak Saver Rating
Difficulty: 3 / 5
Trap Factor: MEDIUM. The Y ending can trick players who forget it functions as a vowel substitute.
Average Solve: 3.8 guesses (estimate based on difficulty)
SPINY presents moderate difficulty with all common letters but an uncommon ending pattern. The Y at position 5 serves as a vowel substitute, which can confuse players expecting traditional vowel placements. Common starting letters S and P create false confidence, requiring careful elimination of similar patterns like SPINE, SPICY, or SPILL.
What This Puzzle Teaches
The Y ending reminds players to consider Y as both consonant and vowel in Wordle strategy. When you see yellow Y placements, test it in final position as a vowel substitute.
Common starting letters like S and P can create deceptive simplicity. Always verify the entire pattern, not just the opening letters, to avoid wasting guesses on similar-looking words.
Tomorrow's Reset
Puzzle #1689 drops at midnight in your timezone. Did today's SPINY 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.
