NYT Strands May 5 2025 Hints, Spangram and Answer

5 May 2025
7 Words

Find all theme words and the spangram in today's letter grid. Need help? Use our step-by-step hints below!

Today's Theme

"On the side"

Spangram

11 letters

Theme Words

6 words

What is NYT Strands?

NYT Strands is The New York Times' captivating word puzzle that combines elements of word search with thematic word finding. Each day presents a 6×8 grid of letters where you must discover all theme words related to a specific clue, plus find the special "spangram" that spans across the grid.

Unlike traditional word searches, Strands words can change direction, creating unique shapes and paths through the grid. The challenge is not just finding words, but understanding how they all connect to the daily theme.

Today's Theme

"On the side"

Find 6 theme words and 1 spangram related to this clue

NYT Strands Grid for 5 May 2025

N
G
T
E
K
S
I
R
S
A
E
Y
E
S
T
I
R
L
O
S
R
U
C
F
H
F
O
H
R
E
H
M
E
E
K
L
W
C
N
N
I
R
A
F
F
L
E
C

💡 Connect adjacent letters (including diagonally) to form words. Words can change direction!

Step-by-Step Hints for 5 May 2025

Need help? Reveal hints gradually to solve the puzzle at your own pace

Today's Theme Hint

"On the side"

All theme words relate to this clue. Think about different meanings and related concepts!

Spangram Hints

Length & Position

11 letters - spans from one side of the grid to the opposite side

Letter-by-Letter Reveal

F_________S

Theme Words (6 words)

All of these words relate to: "On the side"

7 letters: C _____ E
5 letters: C ___ Y
4 letters: H __ E
10 letters: S ________ G
5 letters: S ___ K
6 letters: W ____ E

Pro Tips for Solving Strands

Getting Started

  • • Look for the spangram first - it reveals the theme
  • • Start from grid corners and edges
  • • Think about the theme clue literally and figuratively

Advanced Strategy

  • • Words can change direction mid-word
  • • Look for common prefixes and suffixes
  • • Use non-theme words to unlock hint system

Spoiler Alert!

The complete answers are below. Only scroll down if you want to see the full solution!

Frequently Asked Questions

Complete Solution for 5 May 2025

Here are all the answers for today's NYT Strands puzzle

🎯 Spangram Answer

FRENCHFRIES

This word spans across the grid and summarizes today's theme

📝 Theme Words: "On the side"

CRINKLE
CURLY
HOME
SHOESTRING
STEAK
WAFFLE

🔍 Bonus Words Found in Grid

These 982 additional words can also be formed from the grid letters

Click to reveal all bonus words

Non-theme words that help unlock hints in the game

All Bonus Words

ACME
ACNE
AERY
AESIR
AIERY
AIRS
AIRT
AIRTS
AIRY
AITS
AITU
AKEE
AKEES
AKES
ARCH
ARCHEI
ARCHER
AREIC
ARES
ARIEL
ARIS
ARISE
ARLE
ARLES
ARUHE
ARYL
ASSERT
ASSERTS
ASSES
ASSIGN
ASTIR
ATES
CAFF
CEIL
CEILER
CERE
CHEEK
CHEEKIER
CHEER
CHEF
CHEFS
CHEMO
CHEMOS
CHEMOSTAT
CHEMOSTATS
CHER
CHERE
CHORIA
CHORIST
CHORISTS
CHOSE
CHOSES
CHOU
CHOUT
CHOUTS
CHROME
CHROMENE
CHURL
CHUT
CHUTIST
CIEL
CINE
CIRE
CIRES
CIRL
CISSIER
CISSIES
CISSIEST
CISSING
CIST
CISTS
CITRIN
CITS
CLEAR
CLEAT
CLEATS
CLEEK
CLEEKS
CRAKE
CRAKES
CRASS
CRASSER
CRASSEST
CRATE
CRATES
CRATUR
CRATURS
CREAK
CREAKS
CREAKY
CREASE
CREATE
CREATES
CREATRESS
CREATURE
CREE
CREEK
CREEKS
CREEKY
CREES
CRENEL
CRESYL
CRIER
CRIES
CRINE
CRIS
CRISE
CRISTA
CRISTAE
CRISTATE
CRIT
CRITS
CRUISE
CRUOR
CRUORS
CRURA
CUIRASS
CUIRASSES
CUIRASSIER
CUIRASSING
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CUISSER
CUISSES
CUIT
CUITS
CURAT
CURATE
CURATES
CURATS
CURE
CURES
CURF
CURFS
CURIA
CURIAE
CURIAS
CURIE
CURIES
CURL
CURLI
CURLIER
CURS
CURSE
CURSER
CURSERS
CURSES
CURSI
CURSING
CURSINGS
CURST
CURT
CURTATE
CURTSIES
CUTIE
CUTIES
CUTIS
CUTS
EARL
EARLY
EASE
EASIER
EASIES
EAST
EASTS
EATS
ECHE
ECHO
ECHOER
ECHOS
ECRU
ECURIE
ECURIES
EECH
EELY
EERY
EINE
EKES
ELCHEE
EMOS
ENFACE
ENLINK
EOSIN
ERAS
ERASE
ERGS
ERIC
ERING
ERISTIC
ERST
ESKAR
ESKY
ESSE
ESSES
ESTATE
ESTATES
ESTRICH
ESTRIN
ESTRO
ESTROS
ESTS
ETAS
ETAT
ETATS
EYRA
EYRAS
EYRIR
FACE
FECIT
FEEN
FEER
FELINE
FENI
FENNEC
FENNEL
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FERE
FERLIE
FERLIER
FLEA
FLEAS
FLEE
FLEES
FLEET
FLEETS
FLEY
FLEYS
FLIC
FLIER
FLIR
FLYER
FOEN
FOES
FOHS
FORT
FORTIES
FORTIS
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FORTRESSING
FORTS
FOSS
FOSSA
FOSSAE
FOSSATE
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FOUR
FOURCHEE
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FRATE
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FRATRIES
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FREAKS
FREAKY
FREE
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FREESIA
FREEST
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FREETS
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FREITS
FRENCH
FRENNE
FRIAR
FRIARLY
FRIARY
FRIER
FRIES
FRIS
FRISE
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FRISEES
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FRISTS
FRIT
FRITS
FRITURE
FRITURES
FROE
FROM
FROS
FROSH
FROST
FROSTIER
FROSTS
FRUIT
FRUITS
GIES
GIRN
GIRT
GIRTS
GIST
GISTS
GREIN
GRIN
GRIS
GRISE
GRISES
GRIST
GRISTS
HECH
HEIL
HEIR
HEMOSTAT
HEMOSTATS
HENCE
HENCHMEN
HENLIKE
HENNER
HENNIER
HERE
HERL
HOEING
HOER
HOERS
HOES
HORI
HORIS
HORS
HORSE
HORSES
HORSIER
HORSIEST
HORSING
HORSINGS
HORST
HORSTS
HOSE
HOSER
HOSERS
HOSES
HOSIER
HOSIERS
HOSING
HOSS
HOST
HOSTA
HOSTAS
HOSTIE
HOSTIES
HOSTRIES
HOSTS
HOUR
HOURI
HOURIS
HOURLY
HOURS
HOUT
HOUTS
HUIA
HUIAS
HUIC
HUIS
HUISSIER
HURL
HURLEY
HURLEYS
HURLY
HURST
HURSTS
HURT
HURTS
HUTIA
HUTIAS
HUTS
ICELIKE
ICER
ICHOR
ICHORS
INGRESS
INKER
INKLE
INNER
IRATE
IRATEST
IRES
ISOS
ISOSTASIES
ISSEI
ITAS
IURE
KAES
KAIE
KAIES
KAIS
KATI
KATIS
KATS
KEAS
KEECH
KEEF
KEEFS
KEEL
KEEN
KEENER
KEET
KEETS
KEIR
KEIRS
KENCH
KENNEL
KENNER
KEREL
KERF
KESAR
KEST
KESTS
KETA
KETAS
KETS
KEYS
KHOR
KHORS
KHURTA
KHURTAS
KIER
KILN
KINE
KNEE
KYES
KYLE
KYLES
KYRIE
KYRIES
LEAK
LEAKS
LEAKY
LEAR
LEARY
LEAS
LEASE
LEAST
LEASTS
LEAT
LEATS
LECH
LECHER
LEEAR
LEEK
LEEKS
LEES
LEET
LEETS
LEIR
LEIRS
LEIS
LEKE
LEKS
LENIENCE
LERE
LEYS
LICE
LIEN
LIER
LIKE
LIKEN
LIKER
LINE
LINEN
LINER
LINK
LINKER
LINN
LIRE
LIRK
LYES
LYRA
LYRATE
LYRE
LYRES
LYRIC
LYRIST
LYRISTS
LYSE
MEEK
MEEKER
MEER
MENE
MEOU
MHOS
MOER
MOFO
MOFOS
MOHR
MOHRS
MOHUR
MOHURS
MORIA
MORIAS
MORICHE
MORS
MORSE
MORSES
MORT
MORTAR
MORTARY
MORTICE
MORTICER
MORTISE
MORTS
MOSE
MOSES
MOSH
MOSS
MOSSER
MOSSERS
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MOSSIER
MOSSING
MOSSO
MOST
MOSTS
MOUCH
MOUCHER
NEEM
NEFS
NEMN
NENE
NERK
NICE
NICER
NIES
NIRL
NISSE
OESTRIN
OMEN
ORFE
ORFS
ORIEL
ORTS
OSES
OSIER
OSIERS
OSSA
OSSATURE
OSSATURES
OSSEIN
OSSIA
OSSICLE
OSSICLES
OSTIA
OSTIARY
OSTIATE
OSTRICH
OUCH
OURIE
OURIER
OURS
OUTATE
OUTRE
OUTREIGN
OUTRIG
OUTRIGS
OUTRING
OUTRINGS
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OUTSEE
OUTSEES
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OUTSERTS
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OUTSIN
OUTSING
OUTSINGS
OUTSTARE
OUTSTARES
OUTSTEER
RAIS
RAISE
RAIT
RAITS
RAKE
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RASE
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RATE
RATES
RATS
RATU
REAK
REAKS
REASSERT
REASSERTS
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REASTS
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RECURS
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RECUTS
REECH
REEF
REEFS
REEK
REEKS
REEKY
REEN
REES
REEST
REESTS
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REFRIES
REFRY
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REIN
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REIS
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REKES
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RELIE
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REOS
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RESIGN
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RESORT
RESORTS
RESOURCE
REST
RESTATE
RESTATES
RESTIER
RESTS
RHEOSTAT
RHEOSTATS
RHOS
RIAS
RICE
RICER
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RICHEN
RICHER
RIEL
RIGS
RILE
RINE
RING
RINGS
RINK
RISE
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RITS
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ROSES
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ROSSERS
ROST
ROSTI
ROSTIS
ROSTS
ROUCHE
ROUT
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RUTS
RYES
RYKE
RYKES
SAIC
SAICE
SAIR
SAIRS
SAKE
SAKER
SAKES
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SATE
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SATIRE
SATIRES
SEAR
SEARCE
SEARCH
SEARCHER
SEARE
SEAS
SEASE
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SEATS
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SEEKS
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SEELY
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SEIRS
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SEISE
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SERAIS
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SERIN
SERING
SERS
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SESS
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SETA
SETAE
SHMO
SHOE
SHOEING
SHOEINGS
SHOER
SHOERS
SHOES
SHOESTRINGS
SICE
SICH
SIES
SIESTA
SIESTAS
SIGN
SING
SINGS
SIRE
SIREE
SIRES
SIRS
SITAR
SITS
SKAS
SKAT
SKATE
SKATES
SKATS
SKEAR
SKEARY
SKEE
SKEELY
SKEER
SKEERY
SKEES
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SKELF
SKER
SKET
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SKYER
SKYR
SKYRE
SOHS
SOME
SORI
SORT
SORTA
SORTIE
SORTIES
SORTS
SOSS
SOUCE
SOUR
SOURCE
SOURLY
SOURS
SOURSE
SOUT
SOUTAR
SOUTIE
SOUTIES
SOUTS
SRIS
STAIR
STAIRS
STAKE
STAKES
STAR
STARCH
STARCHER
STARE
STARES
STARFRUIT
STARFRUITS
STAT
STATE
STATES
STATIC
STATICE
STATS
STATURE
STATURES
STEAKS
STEAR
STEARE
STEARES
STEARIC
STEEK
STEEKS
STEEL
STEELY
STEER
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STICH
STICHOS
STIE
STIES
STIR
STIRE
STIRES
STIRS
STRESS
STRESSING
STRESSOR
STRIA
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STRIATE
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STRICH
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STRIGS
STRING
STRINGS
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SYKE
SYKER
SYKES
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TAES
TAIS
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TAITS
TAKE
TAKER
TAKES
TAKS
TAKY
TARCEL
TARE
TARES
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TASSE
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TASSIES
TASTE
TASTIER
TATE
TATES
TATIE
TATIES
TATS
TATU
TEAK
TEAKS
TEAR
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TEAS
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TEATS
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TEEL
TEER
TEES
TEST
TESTA
TESTAE
TESTICLE
TESTICLES
TESTIER
TESTS
TIAR
TICE
TICH
TIER
TIERCE
TIERCEL
TIES
TIRASSE
TIRASSES
TIRE
TIRES
TIRL
TIRO
TIROS
TRES
TRESS
TRESSIER
TRESSING
TRESSOUR
TREST
TRESTS
TRIARCH
TRICE
TRICHOME
TRICHOSES
TRIE
TRIER
TRIES
TRIG
TRIGS
TRIN
TRIST
TRISTE
TRISTICH
TROSSERS
TROUCH
TRUCE
TSAR
TSORIS
TSOURIS
TUIS
TUREEN
TURF
TURFEN
TURFMEN
TURFS
TURISTA
TURK
URAEI
URASE
URATE
URATES
URATIC
UREA
UREAS
UREASE
UREIC
URES
URIC
UROSES
UTAS
UTIS
UTRICLE
UTRICLES
WAFF
WAFFLER
WAFFLIER
YEAR
YEAS
YEAST
YEASTS
YESK
982
Bonus Words
4
Shortest Word
11
Longest Word
989
Total Words
💡 Pro Tip

In NYT Strands, finding 3 non-theme words unlocks a hint that highlights letters for a theme word. Use these bonus words strategically when you're stuck!

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