NYT Strands Answer Today (#984) – 12 Nov 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 #984 (published 12 Nov 2026). One special word — the Spangram — spans the grid and ties the theme together.
Today’s Theme
Theme: Facing the music
General Hints
- Today’s words are all about who’s on the other side of the stage, the lectern, or the screen.
- Think of the different roles a crowd can play depending on what it’s gathered to experience.
- One word in the grid is really just a fancier umbrella term for all the others.
Spangram Length
The Spangram has 8 letters and is one word.
Spangram Orientation
As with every Strands Spangram, it touches two opposite sides of the board, winding through the grid rather than sitting in a single straight line.
Spangram First & Last Letters
Begins with A and ends with E.
Pattern preview (length-obscured): A___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___R
- Word 2: L___R
- Word 3: P___N
- Word 4: S___R
- Word 5: V___R
Spangram preview: A___E
Spangram
Click to reveal today’s Spangram
AUDIENCE
Spangram Definition
Click to reveal the definition of the Spangram
AUDIENCE — the full group of people gathered to watch, hear, or take in a performance or presentation.
Example: “The orchestra could feel the audience holding its breath during the quiet final movement.”
Sample Words
Click to reveal two words from today’s solution
- LISTENER
- VIEWER
Full Solution
Click to reveal the complete answers
Theme: Facing the music
Spangram: AUDIENCE
All words:
- CONCERTGOER
- LISTENER
- PATRON
- SPECTATOR
- VIEWER
- AUDIENCE (Spangram)
Definitions of All Words
Click to reveal definitions of today’s words
- CONCERTGOER — someone who regularly attends live music performances.
- LISTENER — a person who pays attention to sound, such as music, a podcast, or someone speaking.
- PATRON — a regular customer or supporter of an establishment, such as a theater or venue.
- SPECTATOR — someone who watches an event, such as a sports game or show, without taking part in it.
- VIEWER — a person who watches something, like a broadcast, film, or screen.
- AUDIENCE — the full group of people gathered to watch, hear, or take in a performance or presentation.
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