NYT Strands Answer Today (#959) – 18 Oct 2026 Solution & Hints
- About Today’s Strands
- Today’s Theme
- General Hints
- Spangram Length
- Spangram Orientation
- Spangram First & Last Letters
- First & Last Letters of All Words
- Spangram (Click to Reveal)
- Spangram Definition (Click to Reveal)
- Sample Words (Click to Reveal)
- Full Solution (Click to Reveal)
- Definitions of All Words (Click to Reveal)
About Today’s Strands
Puzzle #959 (published 18 Oct 2026). One special word — the Spangram — spans the grid and ties the theme together.
Today’s Theme
Theme: Fast fashion
General Hints
- Lace up — today’s set is all about what you’d wear or carry for a workout outdoors.
- One item keeps the beat in your ears, and another cuts the glare from your eyes.
- The spangram names the whole category of stuff you’d grab before heading out at dawn.
Spangram Length
The Spangram has 11 letters and is two words.
Spangram Orientation
The Spangram runs vertically, touching the top and bottom edges of the grid.
Spangram First & Last Letters
Begins with R and ends with R.
Pattern preview (length-obscured): R___R
Note: We always display first/last letters as X___Y with three underscores, regardless of true length.
First & Last Letters of All Words
- Word 1: H___S
- Word 2: S___S
- Word 3: S___S
- Word 4: V___T
- Word 5: W___H
Spangram preview: R___R
Spangram
Click to reveal today’s Spangram
RUNNING GEAR
Spangram Definition
Click to reveal the definition of the Spangram
RUNNING GEAR — The full set of clothing and accessories, such as supportive shoes and moisture-wicking layers, worn specifically for running.
Example: “He laid out his running gear the night before the race — shoes, a vest, and his favorite headphones.”
Sample Words
Click to reveal two words from today’s solution
- Sneakers
- Watch
Full Solution
Click to reveal the complete answers
Theme: Fast fashion
Spangram: RUNNING GEAR
All words:
- Headphones
- Sneakers
- Sunglasses
- Vest
- Watch
- RUNNING GEAR (Spangram)
Definitions of All Words
Click to reveal definitions of today’s words
- Headphones — A pair of small speakers worn over or in the ears for listening to audio privately.
- Sneakers — Casual, cushioned shoes designed for comfort during sports or everyday wear.
- Sunglasses — Tinted eyewear worn to shield the eyes from bright sunlight and glare.
- Vest — A sleeveless garment worn over a shirt, often for warmth, style, or utility.
- Watch — A small timepiece worn on the wrist to keep track of the time.
- RUNNING GEAR — The full set of clothing and accessories, such as supportive shoes and moisture-wicking layers, worn specifically for running.
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