If you’ve ever played the New York Times Spelling Bee, you know how satisfying it feels to find that one word hiding in plain sight. Today’s puzzle is especially fun because the combinations are both straightforward and a little tricky. In this post, you’ll see the full word list you can make, learn some strategies to help you solve puzzles faster, and get a chance to share any words you spotted that aren’t listed here.
About today’s NYT Spelling Bee puzzle
With O locked in the center, today’s puzzle revolves around round, flowing word shapes. The surrounding letters—A, C, E, L, N, and W—create a flexible mix that feels open early on. Vowels help words form naturally, but the lack of harsh consonants means longer words require a bit more creativity and repetition.
NYT Spelling Bee Words and Answers: January 21, 2026
Here’s a best-effort list of words that fit today’s rules. Keep in mind: some are rare or unusual, so the official NYT list may vary.
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coal
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cole
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cool
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cone
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clone
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alone
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loan
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loon
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wool
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woolen
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wallow
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allow
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cowl
Pangram of the day
Today’s pangram is allowance. It works perfectly because it includes all seven hive letters—A, C, E, L, N, O, and W—while keeping O at the center. The word benefits from repeated letters, which is often the key to unlocking longer solutions in this puzzle. It’s also a familiar, everyday word, making it especially satisfying once it finally clicks.
Quick tactics for any puzzle
- Start with the center letter.
Since every word must include it, try building short “roots” with that letter first, then expand. - Play with prefixes and suffixes.
Look for common starters (like re-, pre-, tri-) and endings (like -er, -ry, -ing). These patterns often unlock multiple words. - Anagram your discoveries.
Once you’ve found a word, shuffle its letters around — you’ll often uncover two or three more. - Use repeated letters.
Remember, the same letter can appear more than once. Doubling letters opens up words you might otherwise overlook. - Hunt for pangrams.
Try to use all seven letters at least once. Pangrams aren’t always easy, but when you find one, it feels like striking gold.
Habits to sharpen your skills
- Begin with easy 4-letter words to get your brain moving.
- Rotate vowels and consonants through different combinations to see what “clicks.”
- Step away and return later — fresh eyes will catch words you missed.
Optional tools if you want extra help
- Pen and paper. Writing the letters down or sketching patterns can reveal hidden words.
- Word-finding apps. Great for study or practice, but use sparingly if you want to keep the challenge.
- Personal word journal. Track words you miss often — over time, you’ll train yourself to recognize them quickly.
Wrap-up
Today’s word hive highlights why the NYT Spelling Bee remains such a popular daily word game. Exploring letter combinations, spotting patterns, and building longer words all contribute to a rewarding experience that keeps players coming back each day. Did you uncover more words than expected or stumble on a surprising favorite? Share your score, best finds, or strategies in the comments and join the conversation.
