Spelling Bee Answers — August 28, 2026

    The full word list and pangrams for the NYT Spelling Bee from August 28, 2026.

    Daily brief

    Spelling bee #21042

    Friday, August 28, 2026

    ready

    Updated

    Today's hints

    Hive: center V; outer A, D, I, L, T, Y

    Official totals
    Total Words
    21
    Pangram Count
    1
    Length histogram
    5
    7
    7
    5
    8
    4
    Other
    5
    Two-letter list
    OTHER
    21
    Letter-by-length grid
    OTHER
    Total
    21
    Pangram shape
    Count
    1
    Starts With Center
    Yes
    1. Every word must use V; 6 other letters are available.
    2. A complete solve is 21 words, with 1 pangram.

    Difficulty: 2

    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

    Friday, August 28, 2026

    Today's Letters

    A
    D
    I
    V
    L
    T
    Y

    Create words using letters from the hive. Words must:

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

    119Max Points
    21Words Found
    1Pangrams
    5.7Avg Points/Word

    The Spelling Bee pangram for Friday, August 28, 2026 was VALIDITY, out of 21 total words worth 119 points.

    Solution Details

    A (4)

    availavidavidityavidly

    D (2)

    divadivvy

    L (4)

    lavalividlividitylividly

    V (11)

    validvalidityvalidlyvialvillavitalvitalityvitallyvividvividityvividly

    Yesterday's full result

    2026-08-27

    Center Letter
    T
    Outer Letters
    A, M, O, R, W, Y
    Words
    • Word
      MOTORWAY
      Scrabble Score
      16
      Wwf Score
      16
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a broad highway designed for high-speed traffic
      Is Pangram
      Yes
    • Word
      AMATORY
      Scrabble Score
      12
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      expressive of or exciting sexual love or romance
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      AORTA
      Scrabble Score
      5
      Wwf Score
      5
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the large trunk artery that carries blood from the left ventricle of the heart to branch arteries
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ARROWROOT
      Scrabble Score
      12
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a nutritive starch obtained from the root of the arrowroot plant
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ARTY
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      6
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      showily imitative of art or artists
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ATOM
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ATTAR
      Scrabble Score
      5
      Wwf Score
      5
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      essential oil or perfume obtained from flowers
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MARMOT
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      stocky coarse-furred burrowing rodent with a short bushy tail found throughout the Northern Hemisphere; hibernates in winter
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MART
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      an area in a town where a public mercantile establishment is set up
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MARTYR
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      one who suffers for the sake of principle
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MOAT
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      ditch dug as a fortification and usually filled with water
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MOOT
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a hypothetical case that law students argue as an exercise
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MORTAR
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a muzzle-loading high-angle gun with a short barrel that fires shells at high elevations for a short range
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MOTOR
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      MOTTO
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a favorite saying of a group, organization or individual
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      OATY
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      6
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ORATOR
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      6
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a person who delivers a speech or oration
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ORATORY
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      addressing an audience formally (usually a long and rhetorical address and often pompous)
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      RATATAT
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      7
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      RATTY
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      of or characteristic of rats
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ROOT
      Scrabble Score
      4
      Wwf Score
      4
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the place where something begins, where it springs into being
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ROTARY
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a road junction at which traffic streams circularly around a central island
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ROTATOR
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      7
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ROTATORY
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      of or relating to or characteristic or causing an axial or orbital turn
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ROTOR
      Scrabble Score
      5
      Wwf Score
      5
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the rotating armature of a motor or generator
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TARO
      Scrabble Score
      4
      Wwf Score
      4
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      edible starchy tuberous root of taro plants
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TAROT
      Scrabble Score
      5
      Wwf Score
      5
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      any of a set of (usually 78) cards that include 22 cards representing virtues and vices and death and fortune etc.; used for playing card…
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TARRY
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      v
      Definition
      be about a place without any apparent purpose
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TART
      Scrabble Score
      4
      Wwf Score
      4
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TARTAR
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      6
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a member of the Mongolian people of central Asia who invaded Russia in the 13th century
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TATTOO
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      6
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a drumbeat or bugle call that signals the military to return to their quarters
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TATTY
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      showing signs of wear and tear
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TOMATO
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      mildly acid red or yellow pulpy fruit eaten as a vegetable
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TOMMYROT
      Scrabble Score
      15
      Wwf Score
      16
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      pretentious or silly talk or writing
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TOMORROW
      Scrabble Score
      13
      Wwf Score
      14
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the day after today
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TOOT
      Scrabble Score
      4
      Wwf Score
      4
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a blast of a horn
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TORO
      Scrabble Score
      4
      Wwf Score
      4
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TORT
      Scrabble Score
      4
      Wwf Score
      4
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      (law) any wrongdoing for which an action for damages may be brought
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TORTA
      Scrabble Score
      5
      Wwf Score
      5
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TRAM
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TRAMWAY
      Scrabble Score
      15
      Wwf Score
      15
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TRAY
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      6
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TROT
      Scrabble Score
      4
      Wwf Score
      4
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      radicals who support Trotsky's theory that socialism must be established throughout the world by continuing revolution
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TROY
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      6
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a system of weights used for precious metals and gemstones; based on a 12-ounce pound and an ounce of 480 grains
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TYRO
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      6
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      someone new to a field or activity
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      WART
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      any small rounded protuberance (as on certain plants or animals)
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      WARTY
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      (of skin) covered with warts or projections that resemble warts
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      WATT
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a unit of power equal to 1 joule per second; the power dissipated by a current of 1 ampere flowing across a resistance of 1 ohm
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      WOOT
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      7
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      WORRYWART
      Scrabble Score
      18
      Wwf Score
      17
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      thinks about unfortunate things that might happen
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      WORT
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      usually used in combination: ‘liverwort’, ‘milkwort’, ‘whorlywort’
      Is Pangram
      No
    Pangrams
    MOTORWAY

    Source verification

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

    Checked 2026-08-28T07:21:34.514Z

    Recent answers

    • 2026-08-27 — centerLetter: T · outerLetters: A, M, O, R, W, Y · totalWords: 51 · totalScore: 216 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Thursday
    • 2026-08-26 — centerLetter: K · outerLetters: C, D, E, H, N, U · totalWords: 34 · totalScore: 150 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Wednesday
    • 2026-08-25 — centerLetter: B · outerLetters: G, I, N, O, T, U · totalWords: 40 · totalScore: 218 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Tuesday
    • 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

    Archive statistics

    Averages By Weekday
    Thursday
    Average Words
    40.2
    Average Score
    190.4
    Wednesday
    Average Words
    38.7
    Average Score
    164.9
    Tuesday
    Average Words
    38.5
    Average Score
    179.8
    Monday
    Average Words
    44.1
    Average Score
    186.5
    Sunday
    Average Words
    49.4
    Average Score
    231.2
    Saturday
    Average Words
    51.1
    Average Score
    249.9
    Friday
    Average Words
    45.8
    Average Score
    206.7
    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
    45
    2
    20
    3
    7

    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.