The Unofficial Hive

NYT Spelling Bee answers & analysis

AEFMNTC

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Words
32
Points
149
Genius
104
Pangram
1

Official answers

Show the 32 answersHide answers

Pangram highlighted. Click a word for its definition.

  • accent

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 5 recorded puzzles.

  • acetate

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 7 recorded puzzles.

  • acme

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 11 recorded puzzles.

  • acne

    noun — A skin condition, usually of the face, that is common in adolescents. It is characterised by red pimples, and is caused by the inflammation of sebaceous glands through bacterial infection.

    noun — A pattern of blemishes in an area of skin resulting from the skin condition.

    Appeared in 12 recorded puzzles.

  • affect

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • cafe

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • caftan

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 3 recorded puzzles.

  • came

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 11 recorded puzzles.

  • cancan

    noun — A high-kicking chorus line dance originating in France.

    verb — To dance the cancan.

    noun — (motocross) A trick where one leg is brought over the seat, so that both legs are on one side.

    Appeared in 21 recorded puzzles.

  • cane

    noun — A plant with simple stems, like bamboo or sugar cane, or the stem thereof

    noun — The stem of such a plant adapted for use as a tool

    verb — To strike or beat with a cane or similar implement

    noun — A rod-shaped tool or device, somewhat like a cane

    noun — Split rattan, as used in wickerwork, basketry and the like

    verb — To make or furnish with cane or rattan.

    Appeared in 12 recorded puzzles.

  • canna

    noun — Any member of the genus Canna of tropical plants with large leaves and often showy flowers.

    noun — A measure of length in Italy, varying from six to seven feet.

    Appeared in 21 recorded puzzles.

  • cant

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 12 recorded puzzles.

  • cantata

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 12 recorded puzzles.

  • canteen

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 5 recorded puzzles.

  • cement

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 3 recorded puzzles.

  • cent

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 8 recorded puzzles.

  • cetacean

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 5 recorded puzzles.

  • efface

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • effacement

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • effect

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 3 recorded puzzles.

  • emcee

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 11 recorded puzzles.

  • enact

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 5 recorded puzzles.

  • enactment

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • face

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • facet

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • fact

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 5 recorded puzzles.

  • fence

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 4 recorded puzzles.

  • mace

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 11 recorded puzzles.

  • mecca

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 11 recorded puzzles.

  • menace

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 4 recorded puzzles.

  • tacet

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 7 recorded puzzles.

  • tact

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 18 recorded puzzles.

Hints, no spoilers

Words by first two letters

  • ac×4
  • af×1
  • ca×9
  • ce×3
  • ef×3
  • em×1
  • en×2
  • fa×3
  • fe×1
  • ma×1
  • me×2
  • ta×2

Words by first letter and length

45678910Σ
a 2·21··· 5
c 51321·· 12
e ·22··11 6
f 22····· 4
m 111···· 3
t 11····· 2
Σ 11783111 32

The numbers

Genius today takes 104 points of 149 available. The average answer runs 5.5 letters.

Total points vs. all 378 recorded puzzles
23rd percentile
Word count vs. all recorded puzzles
20th percentile

Word lengths, today vs. 17142 recorded answers

411 today34.5% all-time57 today22.8% all-time68 today20.0% all-time73 today12.1% all-time81 today6.3% all-time91 today2.5% all-time101 today1.2% all-time110.3% all-time120.1% all-time130.0% all-time

History

Today's letters, last seen

LetterLast in a puzzleLast as center
a Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Sunday, April 5, 2026
c ● Monday, April 6, 2026 Thursday, March 12, 2026
e Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Saturday, March 21, 2026
f Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Tuesday, March 17, 2026
m Thursday, April 2, 2026 Wednesday, April 1, 2026
n Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Saturday, March 28, 2026
t Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Most common answers, all recorded puzzles

  1. noon 41
  2. naan 30
  3. nana 30
  4. onion 28
  5. toot 27
  6. loll 27
  7. mama 24
  8. mamma 24
  9. cocoon 23
  10. nene 23
  11. acacia 22
  12. acai 22
  13. bill 22
  14. loon 22
  15. aria 21
  16. onto 21
  17. toon 21
  18. cancan 21
  19. canna 21
  20. neon 21
  21. none 21
  22. olio 21
  23. anon 20
  24. lull 19
  25. lulu 19

Valid words the Bee rejected

Dictionary words the Bee never takes

Legitimate words (per the ENABLE list) that fit the letters but aren't official answers — usually judged too obscure.