What Is NYT Wordle?
Wordle is a game where you guess a secret five-letter word in six tries. Everyday, millions of people play this game online. The game suits all people who appreciate words because it operates completely free and possesses an intuitive learning process. Wordle joined the New York Times puzzle collection in 2022 and became one of its most popular games within this period.
The best part? Every person worldwide struggles with the same five-letter solution throughout each day. Users can select from devices that include phones, computers, or tablets to play this game, which takes only a few short minutes.
How to Play Wordle
Opening Wordle reveals a grid organized into six rows. Type any five-letter word into the first row and hit Enter. The letters will change color to give you hints.
- Green means the letter is correct and in the right spot.
- Yellow means the letter is in the word but in the wrong spot.
- Gray means the letter isn’t in the word at all.
You have six tries to guess the word. The answer is always a real word, never a plural (like “cats” or “dogs”), and sometimes, letters repeat. For example, today’s word has a double letter.
Why Wordle Is So Addictive
Wordle became a huge hit during the pandemic and is still loved today. People enjoy sharing their results online with friends or family. Playing this game remains fairly straightforward yet difficult enough to boost your self-assurance as you emerge victorious. It is also a fun way to learn new words. Did you know the original Wordle had 2,309 possible answers? The New York Times updates the list now, sometimes picking words tied to holidays or trends.
Top Tips for Solving Wordle Faster
Start with a word that uses common vowels and consonants. Good starter words include CRANE, SLATE, or AUDIO. These words test letters like A, E, and T, which show up in many answers. If a letter turns green, keep it in that spot for your next guess. If it’s yellow, try moving it to a new position. Avoid guessing random letters—use the color clues to eliminate wrong choices.
Fun Fact
The game’s creator, Josh Wardle, made Wordle for his partner, who loves word games. He never expected it to become a worldwide craze!
Common Wordle Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
- Ignoring yellow letters – If a letter is yellow, it’s in the word! Just move it to a new spot.
- Repeating gray letters – Gray letters are not in the word. Don’t waste guesses using them again.
- Forgetting double letters – Today’s answer has a double letter. Words like “happy” or “boots” also use doubles.
- Guessing plurals – The answer is never a plural, so skip words ending with “S.”
Today’s Wordle Hints (May 21, 2025)
To help you progress through today’s puzzle, we have hints that do not reveal the solution.
- Starts with the same letter as “apple” 🍎 or “astronaut” 🚀.
- Middle sounds like a morning bird 🐦 (think “lark” but not quite!).
- Ends with the letter in “moon” 🌙 or “mum” 👩👧.
- What wakes you up before sunrise 🌅 and warns of danger 🚨.
- Rhymes with “farm” 🚜 but isn’t a barnyard animal.
- Hides “arm” 💪 inside, but not a body part!
Why Today’s Wordle Is Tricky
Today’s puzzle is a little harder because of the double letter. Many players forget to guess repeated letters early. The word also has a slang meaning, which might confuse some people. On average, players solve it in five guesses. Don’t worry if you need all six tries, and every guess teaches you something new!
Today’s NYT Wordle Answer (May 21, 2025)
The answer to today’s Wordle is ALARM. This fun word can mean pirate treasure or a silly way to talk about someone’s backside if you got it right, great job! A fresh opportunity emerges each day if you happen to fail. Always bear in mind that we should have both a learning experience and an enjoyable time through play.
What to Play After Wordle
If you love Wordle, try these games next
- Connections – Group words by hidden themes.
- Quordle – Solve four Wordles at once.
- Strands – Find related words in a letter grid.
