NYT Strands Answer Today (#961) – 20 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 #961 (published 20 Oct 2026). One special word — the Spangram — spans the grid and ties the theme together.
Today’s Theme
Theme: 🦆🦆 … 🦢
General Hints
- Think back to recess, when a whole class would sit on the grass in a ring.
- One kid taps every head in turn while saying two familiar words, then a third word changes everything.
- Whoever gets tapped last has to sprint before they’re caught.
Spangram Length
The Spangram has 13 letters and is three words run together.
Spangram Orientation
The Spangram touches two opposite sides of the board, as every Strands Spangram does. Since it’s longer than a single row, it bends across several rows rather than running in one straight line.
Spangram First & Last Letters
Begins with D and ends with E.
Pattern preview (length-obscured): D___E
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: C___E
- WORD 2: C___E
- WORD 3: G___E
- WORD 4: P___D
- WORD 5: S___T
- WORD 6: W___K
Spangram preview: D___E
Spangram
Click to reveal today’s Spangram
DUCKDUCKGOOSE
Spangram Definition
Click to reveal the definition of the Spangram
DUCKDUCKGOOSE — A classic circle game where one player taps heads while reciting the game’s name, then sprints away once the final tap names the odd one out.
Example: “The kids on the playground squealed as the game of duck duck goose ended in a mad dash around the circle.”
Sample Words
Click to reveal two words from today’s solution
- CHASE
- CIRCLE
Full Solution
Click to reveal the complete answers
Theme: 🦆🦆 … 🦢 — duck, duck, goose, the classic circle game
Spangram: DUCKDUCKGOOSE
All words:
- CHASE
- CIRCLE
- GAME
- PLAYGROUND
- SELECT
- WALK
- DUCKDUCKGOOSE (Spangram)
Definitions of All Words
Click to reveal definitions of today’s words
- CHASE — To run after someone or something in pursuit.
- CIRCLE — A closed, round shape, or the act of moving around in one.
- GAME — An activity played for fun, often with rules everyone agrees to follow.
- PLAYGROUND — An outdoor area, often at a school or park, set up for children to play in.
- SELECT — To choose one option out of several.
- WALK — To move on foot at a steady, unhurried pace.
- DUCKDUCKGOOSE — A classic circle game where one player taps heads while reciting the game’s name, then sprints away once the final tap names the odd one out.
Want more? Check out our latest posts:
Play the official NYT games on the
NYT site.
