Spelling Bee Answers — September 3, 2026

    The full word list and pangrams for the NYT Spelling Bee from September 3, 2026.

    Daily brief

    Spelling bee #20379

    Thursday, September 3, 2026

    pending

    Updated

    Today's hints

    Today's verified puzzle data is not available yet. Spoiler-safe hints will appear after the source checks complete.

    Spelling Bee Puzzle

    Edited by Sam Ezersky

    Thursday, September 3, 2026

    Today's Letters

    C
    E
    I
    T
    K
    L
    N

    Create words using letters from the hive. Words must:

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

    291Max Points
    60Words Found
    2Pangrams
    4.8Avg Points/Word

    The Spelling Bee pangrams for Thursday, September 3, 2026 were LITTLENECK, TELEKINETIC, out of 60 total words worth 291 points.

    Solution Details

    C (4)

    centciteclientclientele

    E (8)

    eclecticelectelecteeeliciteliteententeenticeentitle

    I (6)

    illicitinciteinletintelintellectintent

    K (8)

    kentekettlekiltkinetickitekittenkneltknit

    L (11)

    lenientlentlentillicitliltlinnetlintlintellitelittlelittleneck

    N (5)

    necktienetlikenettlenineteennite

    T (18)

    teentelekinetictelltenettentticktickettickletikitiletilltilttincttinetinkletinttitletittle

    Yesterday's full result

    2026-09-02

    Center Letter
    F
    Outer Letters
    A, I, L, N, P, T
    Words
    • Word
      FLIPPANT
      Scrabble Score
      15
      Wwf Score
      19
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      showing inappropriate levity
      Is Pangram
      Yes
    • Word
      PLAINTIFF
      Scrabble Score
      17
      Wwf Score
      20
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a person who brings an action in a court of law
      Is Pangram
      Yes
    • Word
      AFFIANT
      Scrabble Score
      13
      Wwf Score
      14
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a person who makes an affidavit
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ALFALFA
      Scrabble Score
      13
      Wwf Score
      15
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      important European leguminous forage plant with trifoliate leaves and blue-violet flowers grown widely as a pasture and hay crop
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ANTIFA
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      10
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FAIL
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      v
      Definition
      fail to do something; leave something undone
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FAINT
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a spontaneous loss of consciousness caused by insufficient blood to the brain
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FALL
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the season when the leaves fall from the trees
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FANTAIL
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      an overhang consisting of the fan-shaped part of the deck extending aft of the sternpost of a ship
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FATAL
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      bringing death
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FIAT
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      7
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FILIAL
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      designating the generation or the sequence of generations following the parental generation
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FILL
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a quantity sufficient to satisfy
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FILLIP
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      14
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      anything that tends to arouse
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FINAL
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the final match between the winners of all previous matches in an elimination tournament
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FINIAL
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      an ornament at the top of a spire or gable; usually a foliated fleur-de-lis
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FLAIL
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      an implement consisting of handle with a free swinging stick at the end; used in manual threshing
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FLAN
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      open pastry filled with fruit or custard
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FLAP
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      any broad thin and limber covering attached at one edge; hangs loose or projects freely
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FLAT
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a level tract of land
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FLINT
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a hard kind of stone; a form of silica more opaque than chalcedony
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FLIP
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a suite of internet protocols, which provide Security transparency, security and network management.
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      FLIT
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a sudden quick movement
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      INFANT
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      INFILL
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      12
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      LIFT
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the act of giving temporary assistance
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      NAIF
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a naive or inexperienced person
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      PFFT
      Scrabble Score
      12
      Wwf Score
      13
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      PILAF
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      rice cooked in well-seasoned broth with onions or celery and usually poultry or game or shellfish and sometimes tomatoes
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      PITFALL
      Scrabble Score
      12
      Wwf Score
      15
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      an unforeseen or unexpected or surprising difficulty
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      TIFF
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a quarrel about petty points
      Is Pangram
      No
    Pangrams
    FLIPPANT, PLAINTIFF

    Source verification

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

    Checked 2026-09-03T07:30:02.001Z

    Recent answers

    • 2026-09-02 — centerLetter: F · outerLetters: A, I, L, N, P, T · totalWords: 31 · totalScore: 138 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Wednesday
    • 2026-09-01 — centerLetter: A · outerLetters: D, I, L, N, T, W · totalWords: 44 · totalScore: 151 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Tuesday
    • 2026-08-31 — centerLetter: L · outerLetters: A, B, D, O, R, Y · totalWords: 60 · totalScore: 276 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Monday
    • 2026-08-28 — centerLetter: V · outerLetters: A, D, I, L, T, Y · totalWords: 21 · totalScore: 119 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Friday
    • 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
    • 2026-08-21 — centerLetter: U · outerLetters: D, G, H, N, O, R · totalWords: 23 · totalScore: 95 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Friday
    • 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

    Archive statistics

    Averages By Weekday
    Wednesday
    Average Words
    35.7
    Average Score
    150.9
    Tuesday
    Average Words
    36.1
    Average Score
    165.4
    Monday
    Average Words
    46.8
    Average Score
    198.4
    Friday
    Average Words
    42.5
    Average Score
    197.1
    Thursday
    Average Words
    37.9
    Average Score
    177
    Sunday
    Average Words
    49.2
    Average Score
    244
    Saturday
    Average Words
    45.5
    Average Score
    209.3
    Center Vowel Share
    0.22
    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
    42
    2
    17
    3
    9

    How this brief was computed

    Hint classes: computed

    Generated lines used: 0

    Verification run: 20260903T074501Z

    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.