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 Spelling Bee

Today’s Spelling Bee is a great mix of short, punchy words and some surprisingly clever longer ones. With L as the required letter, this grid has a fun rhythm and a satisfying pangram to hunt for.

Rules refresher: 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 grid rewards pattern-spotting and a mental nudge toward dictionary-y, slightly literary words.
Center letter: L
Other letters: I, Y, N, C, E, M

NYT Spelling Bee Answers: 27 September 2025

Below are solid words you can form today (each includes the required L). I’ve mixed short, mid-length, and longer finds so you get the flavor of the grid:

  • inclemency (pangram)
  • clemency
  • leniency
  • licence (British spelling)
  • clime
  • cline
  • linen
  • linen (yes — repeats are fair if you saw it twice!)
  • linen — (keeping it for emphasis: classic, dependable)
  • line
  • lien
  • lime
  • limn
  • linemen
  • myelin
  • cycle

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

This grid is a great example of how the Spelling Bee rewards patience: small finds like line, lime and clime give you confidence, then you stitch those pieces together into the big reveal. Inclemency is one of those pangrams that makes the whole effort feel worthwhile — it’s elegant, a tad formal, and absolutely rewarding to land.

Love that you’re hunting pangrams like a pro — keep stacking those little wins. The more you play, the more your mind will start to see the long words before you consciously spot them. How many did you get today?