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.

About today’s Spelling Bee puzzle

Today’s hive is compact, clever and slightly mischievous — the kind of grid that rewards steady pattern recognition more than lightning guesses. The center letter is L, and the surrounding letters are K, E, Y, P, U, I, a set that nudges you toward short, punchy finds and a handful of mid-length buildups.

Rules quick reminder: every word must include the center letter L, be at least four letters long, and use only the seven hive letters (letters may repeat). This hive leans on vowel/consonant pairings that reward players who start with familiar 4-letter anchors and then expand.

Date: October 10, 2025
Center letter (required): L
Outer letters: K, E, Y, P, U, I

NYT Spelling Bee Answers: 10 October 2025

Below are solid, playable words (4+ letters) that all include the required L and use only letters from the hive:

  • LIKE
  • PILE
  • PLIE
  • PULE
  • LULL
  • LILY
  • YELP
  • LIEP
  • PUPIL
  • PULLEY
  • PULPIER
  • PULLEY

Pangram of the Day

PUPPYLIKE — It uses all seven letters, checks every rule, and captures the vibe perfectly. Defined as resembling or characteristic of a puppy — eager, affectionate, or playful, it’s the exact spirit of this hive.

Quick tactics for any puzzle

  1. Start with the center letter.
    Since every word must include it, try building short “roots” with that letter first, then expand.
  2. 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.
  3. Anagram your discoveries.
    Once you’ve found a word, shuffle its letters around — you’ll often uncover two or three more.
  4. Use repeated letters.
    Remember, the same letter can appear more than once. Doubling letters opens up words you might otherwise overlook.
  5. 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 puzzle feels like a gentle pat on the head from the Spelling Bee gods — simple, joyful, and pure word fun. If you made it all the way to PUPPYLIKE, give yourself a treat. You’ve earned it.