Spelling Bee Answers — August 25, 2026

    The full word list and pangrams for the NYT Spelling Bee from August 25, 2026.

    Daily brief

    Spelling bee #21453

    Tuesday, August 25, 2026

    ready

    Updated

    Today's hints

    Hive: center B; outer G, I, N, O, T, U

    Official totals
    Total Words
    40
    Pangram Count
    2
    Length histogram
    4
    10
    5
    4
    6
    15
    7
    8
    Other
    3
    Two-letter list
    BI
    6
    BO
    17
    OTHER
    17
    Letter-by-length grid
    B
    4
    8
    5
    4
    6
    11
    7
    8
    OTHER
    Total
    9
    Pangram shape
    Count
    2
    Starts With Center
    Yes
    1. B is required in every answer, with 6 outer letters around it.
    2. Full-board targets: 40 words and 2 pangrams.

    Difficulty: 3

    This band is shown with every input used to compute it.

    • accepted-word total
    • length distribution
    • pangram count

    Spelling Bee Puzzle

    Edited by Sam Ezersky

    Tuesday, August 25, 2026

    Today's Letters

    G
    I
    N
    B
    O
    T
    U

    Create words using letters from the hive. Words must:

    • Be at least 4 letters long
    • Include the center letter B

    218Max Points
    40Words Found
    2Pangrams
    5.5Avg Points/Word

    The Spelling Bee pangrams for Tuesday, August 25, 2026 were BUTTONING, UNBUTTONING, out of 40 total words worth 218 points.

    Solution Details

    B (32)

    bigotbingingbingobinningbiotinbitingbobbinbobbingboggingboingbonbonbongbongoboningbonitobonoboboobbooboobooingboonbootbootingboutbuggingbungbunionbuntbuntingbuttbuttingbuttonbuttoning

    G (2)

    gibbongibing

    N (2)

    noobnubbin

    O (1)

    obit

    T (1)

    tubing

    U (2)

    unbuttonunbuttoning

    Yesterday's full result

    2026-08-24

    Center Letter
    N
    Outer Letters
    A, D, M, O, R, T
    Words
    • Word
      DORMANT
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation
      Is Pangram
      Yes
    • Word
      MORDANT
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a substance used to treat leather or other materials before dyeing; aids in dyeing process
      Is Pangram
      Yes
    • Word
      ADAMANT
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      very hard native crystalline carbon valued as a gem
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ADMAN
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      someone whose business is advertising
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ADORN
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      v
      Definition
      make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ANNATTO
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      9
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ANNOTATOR
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a commentator who writes notes to a text
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ANON
      Scrabble Score
      4
      Wwf Score
      6
      Part Of Speech
      adv
      Definition
      at another time
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ARRANT
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DAMN
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      something of little value
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DARN
      Scrabble Score
      5
      Wwf Score
      6
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      something of little value
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DONOR
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      person who makes a gift of property
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DOORMAN
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a man who guards an entrance
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MADMAN
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      14
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a male insane person
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MAMMON
      Scrabble Score
      12
      Wwf Score
      16
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      wealth regarded as an evil influence
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MANNA
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      hardened sugary exudation of various trees
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MANOR
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the mansion of a lord or wealthy person
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MANTA
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a blanket that is used as a cloak or shawl
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MANTRA
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a commonly repeated word or phrase
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MAROON
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a person who is stranded (as on an island)
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MATRON
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a married woman (usually middle-aged with children) who is staid and dignified
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MOAN
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MONAD
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a singular metaphysical entity from which material properties are said to derive
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MONDO
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      10
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MONO
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      an acute disease characterized by fever and swollen lymph nodes and an abnormal increase of mononuclear leucocytes or monocytes in the…
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MONODRAMA
      Scrabble Score
      14
      Wwf Score
      17
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MOON
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the light of the Moon
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MORN
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the time period between dawn and noon
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MORON
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a person of subnormal intelligence
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      NAAN
      Scrabble Score
      4
      Wwf Score
      6
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      leavened bread baked in a clay oven in India; usually shaped like a teardrop
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      NADA
      Scrabble Score
      5
      Wwf Score
      6
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a quantity of no importance; thing (object:), singular, negative pronoun; pronoun, thing, singular; quantifier: negative existential
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      NANA
      Scrabble Score
      4
      Wwf Score
      6
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      NARRATOR
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      someone who tells a story
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      NATANT
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      8
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      NOMAD
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a member of a people who have no permanent home but move about according to the seasons
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      NONART
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      8
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      NONRANDOM
      Scrabble Score
      12
      Wwf Score
      16
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      not random
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      NOON
      Scrabble Score
      4
      Wwf Score
      6
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the middle of the day
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      NORM
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a standard or model or pattern regarded as typical
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      NOTATOR
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ONTO
      Scrabble Score
      4
      Wwf Score
      5
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      OTTOMAN
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a Turk (especially a Turk who is a member of the tribe of Osman I)
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      RADON
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a radioactive gaseous element formed by the disintegration of radium; the heaviest of the inert gasses; occurs naturally (especially in…
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      RAND
      Scrabble Score
      5
      Wwf Score
      6
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the basic unit of money in South Africa; equal to 100 cents
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      RANDO
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      7
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      RANDOM
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      RANT
      Scrabble Score
      4
      Wwf Score
      5
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      RATTAN
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      climbing palm of Sri Lanka and southern India remarkable for the great length of the stems which are used for malacca canes
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ROAN
      Scrabble Score
      4
      Wwf Score
      5
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a soft sheepskin leather that is colored and finished to resemble morocco; used in bookbinding
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      RONDO
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a musical form that is often the last movement of a sonata
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TANDOOR
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a clay oven used in northern India and Pakistan
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TANTARA
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TANTRA
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      doctrine of enlightenment as the realization of the oneness of one's self and the visible world; combines elements of Hinduism and…
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TARTAN
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a cloth having a crisscross design
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TOON
      Scrabble Score
      4
      Wwf Score
      5
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a film made by photographing a series of cartoon drawings to give the illusion of movement when projected in rapid sequence
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TORN
      Scrabble Score
      4
      Wwf Score
      5
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      having edges that are jagged from injury
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TORNADO
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a localized and violently destructive windstorm occurring over land characterized by a funnel-shaped cloud extending toward the ground
      Is Pangram
      No
    Pangrams
    DORMANT, MORDANT

    Source verification

    Sources
    1
    Agreement
    single
    Confidence
    confirmed
    • 1: verified (0 ms)

    Checked 2026-08-25T07:27:45.647Z

    Recent answers

    • 2026-08-24 — centerLetter: N · outerLetters: A, D, M, O, R, T · totalWords: 57 · totalScore: 274 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Monday
    • 2026-08-23 — centerLetter: M · outerLetters: B, E, I, N, T, U · totalWords: 38 · totalScore: 153 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Sunday
    • 2026-08-22 — centerLetter: I · outerLetters: A, C, N, R, T, U · totalWords: 56 · totalScore: 304 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Saturday
    • 2026-08-21 — centerLetter: U · outerLetters: D, G, H, N, O, R · totalWords: 23 · totalScore: 95 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Friday
    • 2026-08-20 — centerLetter: T · outerLetters: G, I, N, O, Q, U · totalWords: 47 · totalScore: 262 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Thursday
    • 2026-08-19 — centerLetter: V · outerLetters: E, L, N, O, P, R · totalWords: 41 · totalScore: 211 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Wednesday
    • 2026-08-18 — centerLetter: B · outerLetters: A, D, E, G, H, N · totalWords: 42 · totalScore: 228 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Tuesday
    • 2026-08-17 — centerLetter: O · outerLetters: D, G, I, P, R, Y · totalWords: 38 · totalScore: 115 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Monday
    • 2026-08-16 — centerLetter: C · outerLetters: B, D, E, L, O, U · totalWords: 52 · totalScore: 257 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Sunday
    • 2026-08-15 — centerLetter: O · outerLetters: A, C, D, H, I, R · totalWords: 51 · totalScore: 218 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Saturday
    • 2026-08-14 — centerLetter: M · outerLetters: A, D, G, I, N, T · totalWords: 62 · totalScore: 363 · pangramCount: 3 · weekday: Friday
    • 2026-08-13 — centerLetter: N · outerLetters: O, Y, A, C, H, L · totalWords: 39 · totalScore: 182 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Thursday
    • 2026-08-12 — centerLetter: T · outerLetters: E, G, H, I, W, Y · totalWords: 27 · totalScore: 116 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Wednesday
    • 2026-08-11 — centerLetter: N · outerLetters: A, E, L, M, T, Y · totalWords: 70 · totalScore: 350 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Tuesday

    Archive statistics

    Averages By Weekday
    Monday
    Average Words
    44.1
    Average Score
    186.5
    Sunday
    Average Words
    49.2
    Average Score
    244
    Saturday
    Average Words
    51.1
    Average Score
    249.9
    Friday
    Average Words
    45.8
    Average Score
    206.7
    Thursday
    Average Words
    37.5
    Average Score
    181.6
    Wednesday
    Average Words
    37.1
    Average Score
    164.9
    Tuesday
    Average Words
    38.3
    Average Score
    176
    Center Vowel Share
    0.26
    Most Generous
    Date
    2026-08-09
    Center Letter
    H
    Outer Letters
    A, C, E, L, O, T
    Total Words
    77
    Total Score
    346
    Pangram Count
    2
    Weekday
    Sunday
    Least Generous
    Date
    2026-08-05
    Center Letter
    Y
    Outer Letters
    A, F, H, K, O, R
    Total Words
    17
    Total Score
    82
    Pangram Count
    1
    Weekday
    Wednesday
    Pangram Count Distribution
    1
    43
    2
    18
    3
    9

    How this brief was computed

    Hint classes: computed

    Generated lines used: 0

    Verification run: 20261007T011451Z

    How It Works

    Spelling Bee requires making words using available letters, with each word containing the center letter. Our tool will help you discover all possible combinations.

    Rules of the Game

    • Words must have at least 4 letters
    • Words must include the center letter
    • Letters can be used more than once
    • The NYT word list excludes obscure, hyphenated, or proper nouns
    • 4-letter words are worth 1 point each
    • Longer words earn 1 point per letter
    • Pangrams (words that use all 7 letters) earn 7 extra points

    Scoring Ranks

    Beginner: 0 points
    Good Start: 2 points
    Moving Up: 5 points
    Good: 8 points
    Solid: 15 points
    Nice: 25 points
    Great: 40 points
    Amazing: 50 points
    Genius: 70 points
    Queen Bee: Find all words!

    Our tool analyzes the daily puzzle and finds all valid words, helping you achieve "Genius" status and maybe even reach "Queen Bee" by finding all possible words!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is a pangram in Spelling Bee?

    A pangram is a word that uses all 7 letters from the honeycomb at least once. Pangrams are worth 7 bonus points on top of their regular letter points. Finding all pangrams is key to reaching Genius and Queen Bee levels.

    How many points do I need to reach Genius in Spelling Bee?

    Genius rank requires earning approximately 70% of the maximum possible points for that day's puzzle. The exact point threshold varies daily based on how many words and pangrams are available.

    What is Queen Bee rank in Spelling Bee?

    Queen Bee is the highest rank in Spelling Bee, achieved only by finding every single valid word in the puzzle. It's the ultimate challenge and requires discovering all words, including obscure ones.

    Spelling Bee strategy & tips

    Hunt the pangram first

    Every Spelling Bee has at least one pangram — a word that uses all seven letters — and it’s worth a 7-point bonus on top of its length score. Finding it early is the biggest single swing in your score and often reveals the “shape” of the day’s vocabulary.

    To find it, list the seven letters and look for likely combinations: a pangram almost always needs the center letter plus every outer letter, so scan for common roots that can absorb all of them (think “-ING,” “-TION,” or a compound).

    Mine prefixes and suffixes

    Most of your word count comes from systematically extending stems. Once you find a valid base word, try every legal affix:

    • Suffixes: -ING, -ED, -ER, -EST, -LY, -TION, -MENT, -NESS (only if the needed letters are present).
    • Prefixes: RE-, UN-, DE-, OUT-, OVER- when those letters are in the set.
    • Plurals and verb forms: if S is available, most nouns and verbs double your entries.

    Working stem-by-stem instead of guessing randomly is how players clear the higher ranks — our Spelling Bee tips guide walks through the full stem-mining routine.

    The ranks, and what “Genius” really takes

    Spelling Bee scores you up a ladder — Beginner, Good Start, Moving Up, Good, Solid, Nice, Great, Amazing, Genius — with Queen Bee reserved for finding every single word. Genius is about 70% of the total possible points, so you do not need every word to hit it; you need the long words and the pangram.

    Prioritize length: a 7- or 8-letter word is worth far more than several 4-letter words, so when you’re close to a rank, reach for longer entries.

    Rules that trip people up

    • Every word must include the center letter — no exceptions.
    • Words must be at least four letters; three-letter words don’t count.
    • Letters can be reused as many times as you like (e.g. if the set allows it, “LEVEL” or “MAMMA”-style repetition is fine).
    • No proper nouns, hyphenated words, or obscure/offensive entries — the dictionary is curated.

    Words people consistently miss

    The Bee loves slightly old-fashioned or less-common-but-valid words — things like NatterING, words with unusual letter doublings, and short interjections. If you’re a few words short of a rank, try less obvious vowel combinations and uncommon four-letter words before assuming you’ve found everything — or check your blind spots with our Spelling Bee solver.

    A fresh Spelling Bee is released daily; the letters and pangram change each day, so the skill is the search method, not memorization. Past puzzles live in the Spelling Bee archive if you want extra practice.