NYT Strands Answer Today (#986) – 14 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 #986 (published November 14, 2026). One special word — the Spangram — spans the grid and ties the theme together.
Today’s Theme
Theme: Preschool fun
General Hints
- Think back to the moves a teacher might call out during circle time to get little legs going.
- Every answer today describes a different way kids like to cross a room without just strolling in a straight line.
- The spangram names a classic game where one player’s moves set the pattern everyone else has to copy.
Spangram Length
The Spangram has 15 letters and is three words.
Spangram Orientation
The Spangram runs roughly horizontally, snaking across several rows while touching the left and right edges of the grid, as every Strands spangram does.
Spangram First & Last Letters
Begins with F and ends with R.
Pattern preview (length-obscured): F___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: G___P
- Word 2: J___P
- Word 3: M___H
- Word 4: S___P
- Word 5: S___N
- Word 6: T___E
- Word 7: W___K
Spangram preview: F___R
Spangram
Click to reveal today’s Spangram
FOLLOW THE LEADER
Spangram Definition
Click to reveal the definition of the Spangram
FOLLOW THE LEADER — A children’s game in which one player performs actions that everyone else must copy in turn.
Example: “The kids lined up behind Mia and played follow the leader, hopping and spinning wherever she led them.”
Sample Words
Click to reveal two words from today’s solution
- JUMP
- SKIP
Full Solution
Click to reveal the complete answers
Theme: Preschool fun
Spangram: FOLLOW THE LEADER
All words:
- GALLOP
- JUMP
- MARCH
- SKIP
- SPIN
- TIPTOE
- WALK
- FOLLOW THE LEADER (Spangram)
Definitions of All Words
Click to reveal definitions of today’s words
- GALLOP — To run at a horse’s fastest natural pace, with a bounding, three-beat stride.
- JUMP — To push off the ground with your legs and briefly leave the surface entirely.
- MARCH — To walk with stiff, regular steps, often in time with others or a beat.
- SKIP — To move forward with a light hop-step rhythm, alternating feet.
- SPIN — To turn rapidly around a central point without changing location.
- TIPTOE — To walk quietly and carefully on the balls of your feet.
- WALK — To move on foot at a regular, unhurried pace.
- FOLLOW THE LEADER — A children’s game in which one player performs actions that everyone else must copy in turn.
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