The Unofficial Hive

NYT Spelling Bee answers & analysis

DEINOWP

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Edited by Sam Ezersky

Words
55
Points
248
Genius
173
Pangram
1

Official answers

Show the 55 answersHide answers

Pangram highlighted. Click a word for its definition.

  • deep

    adjective — (of a physical distance) Extending far away from a point of reference, especially downwards.

    adjective — (sleep) Sound, heavy (describing a state of sleep from which one is not easily awoken).

    adjective — (sound, voice) Low in pitch.

    adjective — Immersed, submerged (in).

    adjective — (of a color) Highly saturated.

    adjective — (intellectual, social) Complex, involved.

    Appeared in 6 recorded puzzles.

  • deepen

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 5 recorded puzzles.

  • deepened

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 5 recorded puzzles.

  • depend

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 5 recorded puzzles.

  • depended

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 5 recorded puzzles.

  • dipped

    verb — To lower into a liquid.

    verb — To immerse oneself; to become plunged in a liquid; to sink.

    verb — (of a value or rate) To decrease slightly.

    verb — To lower a light's beam.

    verb — To plunge or engage thoroughly in any affair.

    verb — To use a dip stick to check oil level in an engine.

    Appeared in 7 recorded puzzles.

  • dope

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • doped

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • epee

    noun — A sharp-pointed dueling sword with a bell-shaped guard, used (with the end blunted) in sport fencing.

    Appeared in 10 recorded puzzles.

  • epode

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • ninepin

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 7 recorded puzzles.

  • nipped

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 4 recorded puzzles.

  • nope

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 6 recorded puzzles.

  • open

    adjective — Not closed

    verb — To make something accessible or allow for passage by moving from a shut position.

    noun — (with the) Open or unobstructed space; an exposed location.

    adjective — Not physically drawn together, closed, folded or contracted; extended

    adjective — Actively conducting or prepared to conduct business.

    adjective — Receptive.

    Appeared in 6 recorded puzzles.

  • opened

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • opine

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 3 recorded puzzles.

  • opined

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • opinion

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 7 recorded puzzles.

  • opioid

    noun — A substance that has effects similar to opium.

    noun — Any of the natural substances, such as an endorphin, released in the body in response to pain.

    noun — Any of a group of synthetic compounds that exhibit similarities to the opium alkaloids that occur in nature.

    Appeared in 4 recorded puzzles.

  • peed

    verb — To urinate.

    verb — (mildly vulgar) To drizzle.

    Appeared in 6 recorded puzzles.

  • peen

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 10 recorded puzzles.

  • peep

    verb — To look, especially through a narrow opening, or while trying not to be seen or noticed.

    noun — A quick look or glimpse, especially a furtive one.

    noun — A quiet sound, particularly one from a baby bird.

    verb — To make a soft, shrill noise like a baby bird.

    noun — A feeble utterance or complaint.

    verb — To begin to appear; to look forth from concealment; to make the first appearance.

    Appeared in 10 recorded puzzles.

  • peeped

    verb — To look, especially through a narrow opening, or while trying not to be seen or noticed.

    verb — To make a soft, shrill noise like a baby bird.

    verb — To begin to appear; to look forth from concealment; to make the first appearance.

    verb — To speak briefly with a quiet voice.

    Appeared in 6 recorded puzzles.

  • peewee

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • pend

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 5 recorded puzzles.

  • pended

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 5 recorded puzzles.

  • penne

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 10 recorded puzzles.

  • penned

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 5 recorded puzzles.

  • peon

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 6 recorded puzzles.

  • pepped

    verb — To inject with energy and enthusiasm.

    Appeared in 6 recorded puzzles.

  • pewee

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • pied

    adjective — Having two or more colors, especially black and white.

    adjective — Decorated or colored in blotches.

    verb — To hit in the face with a pie, either for comic effect or as a means of protest (see also pieing).

    verb — To spill or mix printing type.

    verb — To go around (a corner) in a guarded manner.

    verb — (of printing types) To reduce to confusion; to jumble.

    Appeared in 7 recorded puzzles.

  • pine

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 7 recorded puzzles.

  • pined

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 4 recorded puzzles.

  • pinewood

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • pinion

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 7 recorded puzzles.

  • pinioned

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • pinned

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 4 recorded puzzles.

  • pinniped

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 4 recorded puzzles.

  • pipe

    noun — Meanings relating to a hollow conduit.

    noun — Meanings relating to a smoking implement.

    noun — Meanings relating to a wind instrument.

    verb — To convey or transport (something) by means of pipes.

    verb — To play (music) on a pipe instrument, such as a bagpipe or a flute.

    verb — To create or decorate with piping (icing).

    Appeared in 11 recorded puzzles.

  • piped

    verb — To convey or transport (something) by means of pipes.

    verb — To create or decorate with piping (icing).

    verb — To shout loudly and at high pitch.

    verb — To lead or conduct as if by pipes, especially by wired transmission.

    adjective — Shaped like a pipe; tubular.

    verb — To play (music) on a pipe instrument, such as a bagpipe or a flute.

    Appeared in 7 recorded puzzles.

  • pippin

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 14 recorded puzzles.

  • pond

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 4 recorded puzzles.

  • pone

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 6 recorded puzzles.

  • ponied

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • poop

    noun — Fecal matter, feces.

    verb — To make a short blast on a horn

    noun — A set of data or general information, written or spoken, usually concerning machinery or a process.

    verb — To tire, exhaust. Often used with out.

    noun — The stern of a ship.

    verb — To break seawater with the poop of a vessel, especially the poop deck.

    Appeared in 13 recorded puzzles.

  • pooped

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • pope

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 6 recorded puzzles.

  • popped

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • powwow

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 4 recorded puzzles.

  • weep

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • weepie

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • windpipe

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

  • wipe

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

    Appeared in 2 recorded puzzles.

  • wiped

    No cached definition. Look it up on Wiktionary.

Hints, no spoilers

Words by first two letters

  • de×5
  • di×1
  • do×2
  • ep×2
  • ni×2
  • no×1
  • op×6
  • pe×12
  • pi×11
  • po×8
  • we×2
  • wi×3

Words by first letter and length

45678Σ
d 213·2 8
e 11··· 2
n 1·11· 3
o 1131· 6
p 12412·3 31
w 211·1 5
Σ 1982026 55

The numbers

Genius today takes 173 points of 248 available. The average answer runs 5.4 letters.

Total points vs. all 444 recorded puzzles
68th percentile
Word count vs. all recorded puzzles
72nd percentile

Word lengths, today vs. 20046 recorded answers

419 today34.5% all-time58 today22.8% all-time620 today20.2% all-time72 today12.0% all-time86 today6.2% all-time92.6% all-time101.2% all-time110.3% all-time120.1% all-time130.0% all-time

History

Today's letters, last seen

LetterLast in a puzzleLast as center
d Sunday, September 13, 2026 Friday, September 4, 2026
e Monday, September 14, 2026 Sunday, August 30, 2026
i Tuesday, September 15, 2026 Saturday, September 12, 2026
n Tuesday, September 15, 2026 Sunday, September 13, 2026
o Monday, September 14, 2026 Monday, August 17, 2026
p ● Tuesday, September 15, 2026 Monday, September 7, 2026
w Tuesday, September 1, 2026 Saturday, June 27, 2026

Most common answers, all recorded puzzles

  1. noon 46
  2. naan 36
  3. nana 36
  4. onion 32
  5. toot 32
  6. loll 30
  7. mama 28
  8. mamma 28
  9. acacia 26
  10. acai 26
  11. mini 26
  12. minim 26
  13. nene 26
  14. imam 25
  15. maim 25
  16. onto 25
  17. toon 25
  18. cocoon 24
  19. lilt 24
  20. till 24
  21. tilt 24
  22. aria 24
  23. mitt 24
  24. loon 24
  25. tint 24

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.