If you are finding it hard to spot theme words in today’s puzzle, then you are in serious need of the Strands hints below. Those bored with sensational games like Wordle and Connections are turning their attention to Strands for a challenging new experience. If you happen to be one of them and are struggling with NYT Strands, we can get you sorted. So, to help you out, we have added the Strands hints, answers, and Spangram on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, below.
What is NYT Strands?
NYT Strands is a word game created by The New York Times as part of its growing “Games” library. The aim of this New York Times game is to connect letters in a six-by-eight grid to form a bunch of words that share the same theme.
To get you started, the puzzle will give you a theme for today’s NYT Strands. You can use it to form multiple “theme” words which will be relevant to this theme, along with one “special” word called the Spangram. This is a word or phrase that spans the length of the grid, vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, giving you the key to crack the rest of the Strands theme words.
The theme for today’s Strands can be relevant in many different ways. So, the puzzle keeps you on your toes every day with its intriguing set of theme words and Spangrams.
NYT Strands Hints for Today’s Theme: “Boogie woogie woogie”
The theme for today’s Strands on May 14, 2025, is — Boogie woogie woogie
If you can’t figure out answers for today’s puzzle, here’s a quick Strands hint — what does the 1980 film “Urban Cowboy” have in common with the 1992 hit song”Achy Breaky Heart”?
Here are hints for a couple of Strands theme words to make it easy for you to solve today’s puzzle on your own without having to scroll down to view the answers:
- Hint #1: the hit song by Spanish pop duo Los del Río that became a disco sensation worldwide.
- Hint #2: a choreographed motion that became popular courtesy of Little Eva’s 1962 hit song.
NYT Strands Spangram Hint: Is It Vertical or Horizontal?
The Spangram for today’s Strands on May 14, 2025, is mostly VERTICAL. It starts with the letters “LI”.
The hint for today’s Spangram for Strands — a group performance where people form multiple rows to follow a choreographed pattern of steps to music.
Spoiler Warning:
Scroll past this point AT YOUR OWN RISK. Hints and answers for today’s Strands below.
Today’s NYT Strands Answers for May 14, 2025
Today’s Strands Spangram Answer
The Spangram answer for today’s Strands on May 14, 2025, is — LineDance
All Theme Words in Today’s Strands
Still looking for the theme words to get the answers for today’s NYT Strands? You can check them out below:
- WOBBLE
- HUSTLE
- MACARENA
- FOOTLOOSE
- LOCOMOTION
The answers for today’s Strands were pretty easy. I started with the first set of theme words – WOBBLE and HUSTLE which gave me a good idea on what the theme for today’s Strands might be about. As soon as I spotted DANCE, I was able to find the Spangram and solve the rest of the theme words.
What is NYT Strands Spangram and How Does It Work?
Every NYT Strands puzzle consists of a unique word or phrase that’s called the Spangram. This word or set of words will run the length of two opposite sides of the grid. One thing to note here is that, a Spangram doesn’t necessarily have to originate or end at the edge of the grid.
In its essence, the Spangram is kind of like a bigger hint that sums up today’s Strands theme in just a word or two. Since it spans across two sides of the puzzle, solving it early helps you figure out the rest of the theme words and vice versa.
Tips and Tricks for Mastering NYT Strands Puzzles
Solving an NYT Strands puzzle successfully isn’t that hard in itself, but in some cases, the approach might not be as straightforward as it looks. So, here are simple tips and tricks that we suggest you follow to crack the theme words and Spangram for Strands puzzles:
- Always start at the corners: No two puzzles are the same. But the chances of the Spangram extending to a diagonal form are quite low. So, the best strategy is to find and decrypt relevant words that are at the corners of the grid.
- Don’t be ashamed to get hints: Sometimes, a theme word could be all you need to solve the entire puzzle. If that requires getting a hint using non-theme words, then that’s the first thing you should do. After all, the point is to have fun and figure this out, like all of us.
- Think both literally and figuratively: Not all themes may land you in the same sense of thought. Some puzzles may welcome more clever answers that may convey something totally different from their actual meaning.
- Aim for the Spangram: The Spangram is what splits the Strands board in half. So, figuring it out will help you cross out other potential approaches for a theme. Deciphering even half of the Spangram can get you close to the rest of the answers.
Still finding it difficult to master the art of NYT Strands? Follow our guide and learn how to play Strands, along with more helpful tips and tricks.
The theme for today’s NYT strands puzzle is – Boogie woogie woogie.
Today’s Strands puzzle is mostly VERTICAL, and the answers include different instances of line dances in pop culture. The Spangram answer for today’s Strands puzzle is — LineDance.
The answer to yesterday’s NYT strands puzzle was – StayStrong and you can find the NYT Strands hints for May 13 here.
