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 lean heavily toward colorful descriptors and action verbs. 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 puzzle
With L as the center letter, today’s hive features a balanced mix of vowels and consonants that creates excellent opportunities for word-building. The presence of F, A, O, and U alongside the outer letters R, V, and U makes this puzzle quite forgiving for beginners while still offering depth for experienced players. The mix rewards creative thinking, especially once you start recognizing common word patterns and combinations. It’s the kind of puzzle that keeps you engaged as you methodically work through different letter combinations.
NYT Spelling Bee Words and Answers: January 28 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.
-
AFOUL
-
ALOOF
-
ARVAL
-
FAROL
-
FAVOR
-
FLORA
-
FLOUR
-
FOCAL
-
FORA
-
FOAL
-
FOUR
-
FURL
-
LOAF
-
LOUR
-
ORAL
-
OVAL
-
OVALFORM
-
VALOR
-
VOLAR
Pangram of the day
Today’s puzzle features one standout solution that uses every letter exactly as intended: FLAVORFUL. This word works beautifully because it incorporates all seven hive letters (F, L, A, V, O, R, U) in a clean, intuitive way that many players discover fairly naturally. It’s the kind of pangram that feels satisfying to uncover—neither impossibly obscure nor immediately obvious. Once you spot it, you’ll wonder how you missed it at first!
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. The balance of common and uncommon words makes this puzzle accessible to newcomers while still challenging veterans.
Did you uncover more words than expected or stumble on a surprising favorite? Did you spot the pangram quickly or was it a challenge? Share your score, best finds, or strategies in the comments and join the conversation. Happy spelling!
