The NYT Spelling Bee for January 14, 2026 offers a deceptively smooth start before tightening its grip. As always, every valid word must be at least four letters long and include the center letter. Today’s hive mixes soft consonants with a couple of vowels, creating lots of short, bouncy words and a few longer surprises if you stay patient and keep experimenting.

About today’s puzzle

The center letter O does a lot of heavy lifting today, pairing easily with both vowels and consonants. With A, E, L, B, C, and P around it, the grid feels open at first, especially for four-letter words. That openness narrows when you hunt longer entries, pushing you toward repeated letters and playful sound patterns.

NYT Spelling Bee Words and Answers: January 14, 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.

  • ALOE
  • ALCOPOP
  • ALLOCABLE
  • BOBA
  • BOBBLE
  • BOCCE
  • BOLA
  • BOLL
  • CLOACA
  • CLOP
  • COAL
  • COBBLE
  • COCA
  • COCOA
  • COLA
  • COLLAB
  • COOL
  • COOP
  • COPE
  • ELOPE
  • LOBE
  • LOBO
  • POOL
  • POOP
  • POPE
  • POPPA

Pangram of the day

PLACEBO is today’s standout because it neatly pulls together every letter in the hive while still feeling like a natural, everyday word. It leans on the central O and uses a clean mix of vowels and consonants without repetition tricks. The word is satisfying to spot because it doesn’t look obvious at first glance, yet once you see it, it clicks instantly.

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

January 14’s puzzle is a great reminder that short words can open the door to bigger finds. If you chipped away patiently, the grid likely rewarded you. How many words did you uncover today—and did you spot the pangram early or late?